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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 reasons to love the Derrick Jones Jr signing

By Stevie Cozens

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Derrick Jones Jr Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) /

Reason two – elite finishing at the rim

The Blazers struggled to finish at the rim 2019/20. Though coach Terry Stotts system isn’t based on ball movement, there’s no reason that we can’t see five-man lineups where ball movement is used more.

Also, Nurkic handling the ball from the perimeter or passing out of the post could see Jones cutting to the rim backdoor or using cross screens to get open for lobs. With the spacing provided by Covington, Lillard, and McCollum, Nurkic’s excellent passing can get Jones open at the rim.

Though Coach Terry Stotts system doesn’t have a lot of rim shots, he could run different types of looks to try and utilize Jones crazy athleticism.

In the 2019/20 season, Jones was one of the best finishers at the rim in the entire NBA. He shot an excellent 74 percent there, on six attempts a game.

With the Blazers finishing in the bottom six around the rim the last five years, adding one of the best players at that skill in the league should give the offense a lift.

The Blazers haven’t truly had an above the rim presence for a few years now. This type of athleticism will be key as they can pair him with players like CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, who don’t get to the rim as much or finish strongly there.

Jones offensive rebounding skill also means that he can get easy tip-ins or follows from his teammate’s missed shots. Jones is one of the most athletic players in the league; he will get many opportunities to finish this way.