In a strategic move during the 2023 NBA offseason, the Dallas Mavericks, under the direction of Mark Cuban, actively sought to bolster their lineup by adding a forward to support stars Luka Doncic and newly acquired Kyrie Irving. They found their target in Matisse Thybulle, a player renowned for his defensive prowess, having been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice. Thybulle was on board with a three-year, $33 million deal offered by the Mavericks, but the Portland Trail Blazers intervened, matching the offer and keeping Thybulle in their fold.
However, this apparent setback turned fortuitous for the Mavericks. They shifted their focus and signed Derrick Jones Jr. on a veteran minimum contract, a decision that has paid dividends far beyond expectations.
Jones, known for his 7-foot wingspan and remarkable athletic ability, has emerged as a standout two-way player for Dallas. This season, he has notched career highs, averaging 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.7 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game, demonstrating efficiency with shooting splits of 48/34/71.
His performance amplified in the playoffs, particularly in the recent two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he scored an average of 18 points, bolstering the Mavericks’ offensive prowess.
Jones’ exceptional play has arguably positioned him for a significant salary bump this offseason. However, the earlier pursuit of Thybulle seems less crucial now.
Dallas has discovered a winning formula with Jones, whose offensive synergy, especially as a lob target for Doncic, has made the idea of trading for Thybulle less appealing. Given that acquiring Thybulle would likely require trading assets away—a less attractive proposition after the Mavericks’ successful acquisitions of P.J.
Washington and Daniel Gafford, which have already enhanced their roster depth and capability.
The recent developments have shifted the narrative towards retaining Jones, with his agent, Aaron Turner, indicating the player’s desire to remain with the Mavericks. His integration into the team, especially his chemistry with stars Doncic and Irving, suggests that keeping Jones could be a mutually beneficial decision. As the Mavericks look ahead, their inadvertent acquisition of Jones instead of Thybulle appears not as a missed opportunity, but as a serendipitous stroke, possibly shaping the team’s trajectory in the seasons to come.