The Sun-Times reported in April of 2020 that the old regime had scouts heavily examining Jones as an addition to the roster. Even when that old regime was broken apart, John Paxson was still retained as an advisor and the scouting notes they had on Jones stayed in house. Not only was the 6-foot-5 Jones being coveted for his defense, but having another former Slam Dunk Contest winner to take to the same airways as Zach LaVine is never a bad thing for a team that wants to get out and push the ball in transition.
More on Derrick Jones Trade
Bobby Marks: Chicago is now $6.4M below the luxury tax with 13 guaranteed contracts. $11.8M below the hard cap. Derrick Jones Jr. is on an expiring $9.7M contract.
Shams Charania: The Bulls, Cavaliers and Trail Blazers are close on a three-team deal sending Lauri Markkanen to Cleveland, Larry Nance Jr. to Portland and Derrick Jones Jr., a first-round pick and additional draft compensation to Chicago, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Cleveland’s acquiring Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen in three-way sign and trade with Portland. Bulls get Derrick Jones Jr., POR’s lottery protected future 1st and Cavs’ future second-rounder. POR gets Larry Nance Jr.
Aldridge, who has been on a recent roll from three-point range (20 for his last 40), would appear to be the far more logical target because the Heat could use another skilled, accomplished power rotation player. An informed source said the Spurs would want more than simply an injured Winslow and Derrick Jones Jr. and expiring contracts. Kendrick Nunn could entice the Spurs, but whether Miami would be willing is another story.
Barry Jackson: Can independently confirm that Mavericks want Derrick Jones Jr. and Heat has said no. Miami could always change its mind or find another team with cap space to dump salary to satisfy cap requirements of Butler deal. Difficult to see Butler deal falling through at this point.
Tim MacMahon: Mavs source insists they always thought deal was going to send Kelly Olynyk and Derrick Jones Jr. to them and expected Heat to stretch Ryan Anderson to help make math work. Mavs asked for high-flying Jones as sweetener. No picks were discussed. Unclear if deal can survive.
Jared Weiss: There is a “glitch” in the Butler-Richardson trade according to sources, as the Heat do not want to give up Derrick Jones and Dallas is telling people the deal is off. Expectation is that the deal is too far down the road to fall apart and will get ironed out.
