On opening day of free agency, the Dallas Mavericks made a gamble that many fans didn’t expect.
Rather than re-sign Derrick Jones Jr., who was originally reported as the team’s biggest free agency priority, Dallas signed Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million deal.
Jones Jr. ended up signing with the LA Clippers on a three-year, $30 million deal, and while all of the buzz surrounding Marshall and his fit in Dallas was overwhelmingly positive over the offseason, he needs to play much better for Dallas’ gamble of signing him over Jones Jr. to look like the right decision.
Jones Jr. is thriving for the Clippers as he is averaging 10.5 points per game while shooting 64.3 percent from the field. He has started both of the games he has played, and he is displaying the same high-flying slams, 3-point shooting, and defense that made him a staple of the Mavs’ playoff run.
While Jones Jr.’s…
