The Dallas Mavericks had their priorities in order. At least, they thought they did. However, their decision and hopes seem to have not aligned with that of their top free agent, Derrick Jones Jr. One of the best 3-and-D wings out there in the league right now, many teams had been waiting for the 27-year-old’s free agency. Amongst them were the Los Angeles Lakers.

Adding strength to Jeanie Buss getting the 6’6 210-pound forward was his recent change in agency. As reported by NBA Insider, Marc Stein, Jones Jr. signed with the star free agent, Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. It was pretty much a sign to everyone that the Purple & Gold was Derrick’s destination.

With Dallas on one side trying everything to get him back, The Athletic’s Shams Charania has announced the UNLV product’s decision. “Free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr. plans to sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Major pickup for the Clippers.” 

Major pickup, indeed! To go from being a veteran minimum contract worth $2.7 million (or thereabout) to becoming THE offseason priority itself speaks volumes. He averaged career-highs in both the regular season and the playoffs in nearly all the categories. Jones played the most games of his career (76, starting 66 of them) in his only season with Dallas while scoring 8.6 points in 23.5 minutes and shooting 34.3% from downtown.

Having showcased just how capable of a role player he can be, the Mavs returned the trust, starting Derrick in all 22 games in the postseason. And the result was spectacular. Jones Jr.’s stat line read 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 blocks in 29.4 minutes while shooting 48.1% from the field. We don’t have to tell you these numbers are all career highs.

Suffice it to say, Buss and Co. couldn’t have had a bigger blow. In fact, it can very well be the final one before Steve Ballmer takes his Clippers to their shiny new arena, Intuit Dome. Why, you ask? Surely, you couldn’t have forgotten all about those embarrassing emails?

Water under the bridge, sure, but Steve Ballmer might as well be air-fist-bumping with the Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. deal

It was 2019. The top headline at the time was the lawsuit between MSG and Inglewood, Calif. over the proposed arena construction for the LA Clippers. As the case progressed, the investigation revealed a mortifying chain of emails. And the main players were none other than the Lakers’ lady boss, Jeanie Buss, business mogul, Irving Azoff, and top advisor Linda Rambis.

The email exchange had taken place in 2017 when Azoff was trying to lure the Lakers back to the Forum. Obviously, nothing came out of it. But the conversation soon took a petty turn when Irving conveyed the news of the Lakers’ in-city rivals looking for a potential move from under the wing of Crypto.com Arena to Inglewood. Here’s where it gets interesting. The pair had an interesting nickname for Steve Ballmer.

“Tomorrow [morning] there will be a press conference in Inglewood.. they will announce that ballz and the clippers have optioned land on century blvd to build a new arena,” was the first of the many emails referring to the former Microsoft CEO as “Ballz”. After getting over the shock, the duo then proceeded to mock how it was a futile dream.

And if that wasn’t enough, Jeanie had a reminder. Interestingly, it seems like they love their nicknames. Because here is another one for Azoff. “We need to see you nugget!! Didn’t Ballz see what we did to my brother?? He will have nothing but Clippers basketball. Whoopee.”

She was, of course, referring to the very public feud with her brothers Jim and Johnny Buss over the control of the Lakers franchise. Bending under legal pressure, the brothers finally agreed to let their sister be the controlling owner forever. Anyway, no such thing happened. And the progress of the Dome is very much to the liking of Steve Ballmer.

The opening of the Clippers’ arena is scheduled for August 2024. And from recent reports, it’s going to be unlike anything we have seen. Coupled with technology brilliance and a completely fan-immersive experience, Ballmer has promised only the best for the ‘City of Angels’!

Well, Derrick Jones Jr. will be among the first generation of Clippers to set foot in an arena they can call their own. So, what do you think of all these developments? Don’t be shy and drop those comments below.

 But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe’s beef.