On a simple accounting level, last summer was a small failure for Derrick Jones Jr. In fact, he had refused to activate his last year of contract in Chicago, for 3.3 million dollars. Before signing in Dallas, in August, for a season at 2.7 million. He therefore lost $600,000 in this operation.
But sportingly, he won everything. “I lost money to come here, but money was not a problem. I just wanted a chance to be on the pitch, to show what I can do. That's what happened “, he explains. “I could have activated my option with the Bulls and been on a team that is not in the playoffs. I decided to bet on myself. »
Derrick Jones Jr. took a small risk since on August 17, more than a month after the market opened, he still did not have a team… “It was stressful. I didn't know what was going to happen.”he remembers. “The transfer of Damian Lillard closed doors for a lot of players. »
“We're really lucky to have him, whether we signed him on the first day or the last day”
Then Dallas shows up and he signs on August 18th. “The coach told me that if I came here, I was going to have to work for things. What I have done. » However, he could also have joined the other finalist team this season, Boston… “It’s funny yes, but I’m happy with my decision. »
In addition to playing in the Finals, he had the best season of his career with an average of 8.6 points at 34% 3-point shooting, his two best marks. “I think I took advantage of this opportunity. My coach and my teammates believed in me a lot and it worked”he slips.
“He is a big part of the Mavericks culture,” believes his coach Jason Kidd. “We talk about his defense, but he also shoots 3-pointers. He is really consistent in his message: he simply wants to win. He is clearly part of that, he helps us win. We're really lucky to have him, no matter if we signed him on the first day or the last day. »
Boston or Dallas, the winger therefore finds the Finals, already contested in 2020, in the “bubble”, with the Heat facing the Lakers. He had played very little, but learned some lessons. “Every match is difficult. You have to play with a Game 7 mentality. You never know what a match is going to be like, you have to give everything”says the former winner of the dunk contest.
