The Miami Heat found Derrick Jones Jr. discarded after a failed stint in Phoenix. After a few years of evolution in Miami, he now wants to be a Heat lifer.
The Miami Heat have practically made a living out of finding players where others had left them after deciding that they didn’t want them. Hassan Whiteside is one shining example. Josh Richarson, a second-round pick turned elite two-way player is another.
You can also look to the newly coined 97th best player in the NBA in Duncan Robinson as a glowing example of what can happen when raw talent and ability meets the Heat, their scouting, and development team.
Another high flying, highlight reel, slam dunk of an example in this category for the Heat is none other than Derrick Jones Jr., Mr. Airplane Mode himself. After being waived by the Phoenix Suns in 2017, the Miami Heat signed jones to a two-way contract, before upgrading him to a regular contract that following July.
Since then, he has gone on to become a very valuable member of the Miami Heat’s team and rotation. He is a huge part of the team’s excitement and plays a crucial role defensively with his unique combination of length, quickness, and athleticism.
The Miami Heat found a freak of an athlete in Derrick Jones Jr. Will a freaky big deal keep him away from the Heat in free agency?
He has played so well over the past few seasons, that some think he may receive offers sizeable enough in free agency that the Miami Heat might not be able to keep him. While the fear was that Derrick Jones Jr. may chase the biggest payday, and still may, he may have just offered hope that a deal will get done between himself and the Miami Heat.
DJJ: "I never want to be on another team. I love it here."
— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) July 14, 2020
While this doesn’t exactly speak to what the Heat’s priorities are this offseason, with DJJ‘s remaining upside, defensive ability, and with the athletic excitement he brings to the team and fanbase, they would be wise to try to nail something out. He is a walking highlight reel and he does bring something that few can offer on the defensive end, those are reasons enough to work something out.
Again, the ball is completely in the court of the Miami Heat organization, but at least we now know where Jones Jr. stands. Please get this one done Riles, would you?