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Miami Heat Roundtable: What’s the deal with Wayne Ellington?

By Allana Tachauer

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 20: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat stretches prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on December 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 20: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat stretches prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on December 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 20: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 20: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

What kind of asset do you ultimately see Derrick Jones Jr. developing into for the Miami Heat?

Eyrich: Whatever your expectations are of Derrick Jones Jr., they need to be higher. He’s too athletic to not continue being the type of player we’ve seen recently. I don’t think he’s the type of player that’s going to be able to take a game over, but he provides a lot for this team. He’s a playmaker, period. Whether it’s skying up for a ridiculous dunk, block or saving a ball from going out; you can tell he has a mind for the game and the athleticism to do some of the dirty work, and excite the arena.

Campbell: He’s basically a much better versions of Dorell Wright. Thankfully, Jones Jr. isn’t forced to sit for a few years like Wright had to though. I’m loving his attitude and hustle. He really has the makings of a Heat Lifer. His energy coming off the bench could be big for the Heat down the stretch. On the surface, he looks better than what James Ennis looked like when he was here. For the right piece, I would think the Heat would have no problem moving him, but it’s nice to see Jones Jr. coming into his own right here in South Florida.

Johnson: Jones Jr.’s ceiling resembles that of Gerald Green. He’s Miami’s resident high-flyer, but if he continues to fill out—he’s still just 21-years-old—he could be a switchy, lanky defender that helps clog passing lanes and isn’t bullied by bigger covers. Luckily, his 6-foot-7 stature places him right in that sweet spot among the league’s preferred body type. Like anyone else on the Heat, if he can round out his scoring, Jones Jr. could easily be a rotation player for Miami in the long run.

Rahming: I see him as a fringe starter, who really has a spot in the rotation due to his great ability to play positional defense without fouling or becoming a revolving door to the basket, as well as his ability to grab pretty much any rebound. I’d love to see Hassan Whiteside and him go at it on the boards (and my money is on Jones Jr.). Maybe this is where Ellington’s minutes have gone; if I were a coach, I’d rather bet on getting a rebound, than the possibility of a made 3 from someone who’s cold and coming off the bench.

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