Derrick Jones Jr. Rumors

We've been consistently told LA has no desire to part with Ivica Zubac ... as much as Phoenix surely covets the consistently improving center. The Clippers, however, do hold two future first-round picks and some available swap rights to sweeten a potential Durant offer that would almost certainly require the inclusion of Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. Phoenix has surely recognized that it lacks a bonafide starting center. Which is why, amidst all of the various Suns topics in circulation, they are said to be highly intrigued by the prospect of adding a floor-spacing big man this offseason to address that weakness.

marcstein.substack.com

We’ve never talked about the Clippers before, but they’ve got Zubac, they’ve got Dunn, they’ve got Powell, they’ve got Derrick Jones. I’ll have to look at what their draft capital is, but the Clippers are a team that I’ve heard. I’ve also heard that the Suns don’t have interest in Karl-Anthony Towns. Thank God—I did hear that today. I was told today that they wouldn’t have interest."

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Radio Talk Show host on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix John Gambadoro went on air to talk about some teams that could be interested in Durant, with a sleeper team now in the mix. "The one team that I think there will be communication [with]...this may be the Suns reaching out to them or them reaching out to the Suns or just mutual interest...is the Clippers," Gambadoro said. He continued to say, "We've never talked about the Clippers before but they got [Ivica] Zubac, they got [Kris] Dunn, they got [Norman] Powell, they got Derrick Jones [Jr.]. I'll have to look at what their draft capital is but the Clippers are a team that I heard."

Sports Illustrated

Until they did. Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. tightened up the NBA’s third best defense. Nicolas Batum played 78 games and shot 43.3% from three. In larger roles, Zubac and Norman Powell thrived. Leonard and Harden are the biggest piece of the puzzle but they are part of one that fits. “I think when you have a team that appreciates their role and understands what their role is every single night and they're fine with it, it makes it a lot easier to coach,” said Lue. “What our guys have been able to do this year, understanding their roles … it kind of puts guys in their places and guys are fine with their roles and understand what we need from them every single night.”

Sports Illustrated

Joey Linn: Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Ben Simmons, and Derrick Jones Jr. are all out tonight against Detroit.

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Ohm Youngmisuk: Norman Powell (Left Patellar Tendinopathy) is listed as probable for Clippers. Ben Simmons (Left Knee Soreness) is questionable. Derrick Jones Jr. (Right Groin Strain) is out.

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"I was extremely honored to be a part of this weekend," McClung said. "I genuinely love this contest and [I'm] just very appreciative." McClung's opening-round dunk generated a score of 50, and he posted four jams worth 50 points to become one of four players with at least four such dunks in a single dunk contest. The other three are Zach LaVine (2016), Aaron Gordon (2020) and Derrick Jones Jr. (2020), according to ESPN Research.

ESPN

But Harden’s stats aren’t why he is having a special season. He has made an impact on this Clippers team that must be acknowledged. “He’s a selfless person,” said Derrick Jones Jr., the Clippers’ top free-agent addition in the offseason. “I mean, he’s all about the team. He wants to see the next guy be great. … He’s always there, he’s always available whenever you need him. Got something to talk about, go chop it up with him. That’s not normal for a lot of guys.”

New York Times

Nick DePaula: BREAKING: ANTA & @KyrieIrving have signed Caris LeVert, Derrick Jones Jr. & Daniel Gafford to shoe deals. “These guys are my brothers, players I’ve shared the journey with,” said Irving. “Together, we aim to inspire the future of basketball and create a legacy that resonates

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Tomer Azarly: Clippers defeat the Pelicans, 116-113. Norman Powell: 35 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls James Harden: 27 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts Ivica Zubac: 20 pts, 16 rebs, 4 asts Derrick Jones Jr.: 11 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls CJ McCollum: 33 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts

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Tomer Azarly: Clippers defeat the Grizzlies, 114-110. Norman Powell: 29 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls James Harden: 21 pts, 9 rebs, 8 asts Ivica Zubac: 20 pts, 20 rebs, 3 stls Derrick Jones Jr.: 13 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls Kevin Porter Jr.: 13 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls Jaren Jackson: 24 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts

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Derrick Jones Jr. likens his durability to Wolverine or Deadpool. Sure enough, Jones made a surprise return to practice ahead of the road trip to Dallas, was listed as questionable ahead of the first game, and wound up getting to return to the lineup on a minutes restriction. It was almost like he needed to play so he could take in the tribute video at American Airlines Center that the Mavericks played for his services. “I wasn’t expecting that,” Jones said sheepishly after the Clippers beat Dallas Thursday night 118-95, 11 days after Jones initially strained his hamstring. “But it’s love, for sure. I always got love for this city. They gave me an opportunity to play when a lot of teams wouldn’t. And I just was able to take full advantage of the opportunity. Got myself here.”

New York Times

Law Murray: Asked Tyronn Lue if Kawhi Leonard is 100 percent. T Lue: "Yeah, he feels good. And so we just got to make sure he continues to feel good." Added that Derrick Jones Jr. is TBD to play in Dallas/Memphis, along with Kobe Brown update pic.x.com/T9h3Qnx5yh

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Law Murray: Kawhi Leonard will not play on his bobblehead night vs Jazz, and neither will Derrick Jones Jr, Terance Mann, Kobe Brown, PJ Tucker, Cam Christie, or Trentyn Flowers Same roster as Friday night in Denver

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