Hours after Paul George knowledgeable them that he was transferring on to a brand new group, the LA Clippers agreed to a three-year, $30 million take care of Derrick Jones Jr., a league supply confirmed to ESPN.
With George’s departure, the Clippers wanted an athletic wing who can defend, and so they discovered it in Jones, who’s coming off his greatest season as a professional with the Dallas Mavericks.
Jones began 66 video games and averaged a career-high 8.6 factors and 34.3% capturing from behind the 3-point arc final season whereas a key starter in serving to the Mavericks attain the NBA Finals. Jones and the Mavericks eradicated the Clippers in six video games within the first spherical of the playoffs.
The Clippers mentioned earlier Sunday that George had knowledgeable them he was planning to signal with one other group in free company. The Philadelphia 76ers are thought-about sturdy front-runners, sources advised ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers, who’ve taken a cautious and measured strategy towards roster constructing beneath the brand new collective bargaining settlement restrictions for tax-paying groups, would not give George a most extension of 4 years and $221 million throughout the season.
The 6-foot-6 Jones, 27, will attempt to assist the Clippers exchange George, doubtless by committee. Jones is an athletic wing who can defend a number of positions. He ranked second in whole defensive half-court matchups in opposition to 2024 All-Stars this previous season, together with common season and playoffs, based on analysis by ESPN Stats & Info.
Jones additionally might be a lob menace for James Harden. The Clippers and Harden agreed to a two-year, $70 million deal earlier Sunday, league sources advised ESPN.
Jones’ settlement with the Clippers was first reported by The Athletic.