The Airplane Mode may not find a landing spot in Texas in the coming season. Derrick Jones Jr. signed a $2.7 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the previous season. The forward used the opportunity and produced a career-best stat, averaging 8.6 points in 23-odd minutes per game. Heading into the free agency, he signed up with Klutch Sports, hoping to sign a better offer, considering his development as a player. However, the Mavs GM, Nico Harrison, had other ideas.

The fresh update from the NBA world revealed that the team has roped in Naji Marshall for a 3-year contract worth $27 million. This update only reduces the chances for Jones Jr. to get his way back into the Mavs roster. Moreover, Marc Stein, the trusted NBA insider, stated that the Mavs may not have the “wherewithal” to retain DJJ after the Marshall trade. Especially with the “Klay Thompson pursuit” also on the cards, Jones Jr. might have to land somewhere else.

Derrick Jones Jr. has hopped around multiple franchises in his 8-season-long career. After going undrafted in the 2016 draft, he made his way into the league after impressing the Valley side in pre-season. For most of his career, he only did the garbage-minutes duties and barely had any job at the frontline until the Miami Heat started him a little more consistently in 2020.

Even then, Jones couldn’t make his mark.

As a last resort after stints in Portland and Chicago, he entered the Mavs for a 1-year contract with a meager value of $2.7 million, and the rest is history. He played a helping hand with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to reach his second NBA Finals.

Importantly, Nico Harrison stated that re-signing DJJ was the “priority one, 1A, and 1B”, as per D Magazine. However, within two days, he seemed to have completely moved away from the idea of retaining the power slam jammer.

From going undrafted to joining forces with Luka and Kyrie: Naji Marshall’s rise to “earned” stardom

The 26-year-old has made a massive jump in his career after a 4-season stint with the Pelicans at a minimum salary. Ironically, he also has a similar career to Derrick Jones Jr. After going undrafted into the 2020 NBA draft, the Pels roped him into a 2-way contract for an annual salary of $1.3 million.

In four years, Naji Marshall has grown himself into a New Orleans favorite, coming off the bench. He didn’t just grow as a crowd favorite but also improved his balling skills under the guidance of Willie Green. In the last season, the star averaged 7.1 points in his 19-minute stay per game.

Moreover, appreciating his hardwood prowess and versatility, Coach Green called him the ‘Knife’. Above all, he said, “Naji is one of our guys who has earned everything he’s gotten… From the start of summer league until now, Naji’s been working and doing a great job.” 

And speaking of his four-season-long stay, Naji said, “None of this was guaranteed. Just to be here after going undrafted…to playing in the playoffs, making shots, and guarding the best players is an unbelievable blessing that I’m extremely thankful for.” Over the years, he’s excelled as a shooter. Currently, with the ‘efficient’ tag above his name, Naji shots over 38% from deep and 46.3% from the field in his last season with the Pels.

After sticking to the side with a minimum salary, he was expected to get around $5-$8 million in his free agency. The Mavs went a step further and offered him an annual salary of $9 million approx. for 3 years. Will he turn out to be a surprise package?

Let us know your observations in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.