Miami Heat guard Derrick Jones Jr.: Then, now and what’s to come

What’s to come

The biggest hurdle standing before Jones is the same thing that led him to Miami in the first place. The six-foot-seven wing is closing in on the end of his two-way contract, and Miami has a decision on whether to proceed with him as part of the potential, postseason roster.

For Jones, the good news is that injuries are still very real for Miami. With Waiters out for the rest of the season and Rodney McGruder inching his way back from a left leg stress fracture, Jones could service the Heat as a backcourt option.

At the same time, given Miami’s sure to be hectic push into the playoffs after the All-Star break, Jones might not be the pickup the Heat are looking for. After starting and playing in a series of games spanning January, the now eighth placed Heat could prioritize veteran leadership over young spark plugs to close out the regular season.

Regardless of how things end with Miami, Jones’ upside can’t be overlooked. His combination of lanky athleticism is highly sought after in this position-less iteration of the NBA, and his development can lead him to a multitude of effective roles leaguewide.

Prioritizing his perimeter scoring is key. Shooting just 2-for-15 from beyond the arc, the 3-ball is Jones’ most noticeable weakness. Though the sample size is small, improving his jumper could land him in a role similar to the San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green: a 3-and-D player with contract stability.

Next: Miami Heat forward James Johnson: Then, now and what's to come

Whatever Miami chooses to do, the opportunities Jones has earned these past two years has certainly eclipsed the projections for the undrafted UNLV guard. Though contract uncertainty hangs in the balance, Jones is sure to deliver at least a few more NBA highlights.