The Miami Heat’s Derrick Jones Jr. is an athletic monster, but don’t be fooled, that’s not all the high-flying wing can do.
After trying his best with the Phoenix Suns, the 21-year-old got another shot with Miami last season. While playing extremely well in Summer League, the versatile wing received a lot of early action this season after signing his 2-year deal in July.
Some did question the signing of Jones Jr. and what he could potentially bring to the table long-term, but in reality, where could Miami find a guy this young outside of the draft with this much athletic potential. If anything, fans should have saw what the coaching staff did with Josh Richardson, James Johnson, Tyler Johnson, or even Rodney McGruder, quickly realizing that DJJ would be in good hands.
While the small forward has played some solid minutes this season, averaging 18.5 MPG, he has also seen time at the power forward position. DJJ has struggled from that spot, but Spo has been slowly working him in there because of the future of the small ball lineups in this league.
Aside from the position questions, DJJ has been averaging 7.4 PPG and 4.5 TRB, to go along with shooting a surprising 37.8 percent from downtown (17 makes).
Those numbers may not look great at first glance, but DJJ’s improvements in shooting the ball from 3 is what should jump off the page for a guy that is being groomed by Spo to play like Andre Roberson. And if he can get to an elite defensive level, such as Roberson, then you can expect big things from this potential 3-and-D wing.