6 Mavericks in the running for NBA Awards (and their chances of winning)

5. Derrick Jones Jr. - All-Defensive Team

Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr.'s individual stats may not show that he deserves to be on one of the NBA's All-Defensive Teams, but anyone who has watched a Mavs game this season should understand why he at least deserves to be in the conversation.

Jones Jr. is arguably having the best season of his career this year for the Mavs, and he has been a crucial part of the rotation all season long. He is averaging 8.7 points, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, and his individual defense on some of the best players in the NBA has been outstanding.

Jones Jr. has shut down Stephen Curry, Jalen Green, and Fred VanVleet, just to name a few, and his versatility to effectively guard one through four makes him an indispensable part of the rotation as the playoffs are quickly approaching.

All season long, Jones Jr. has played whatever role Jason Kidd has given him with no complaints, and he is all about winning. His selfless attitude, versatility, and individual effect on the Mavs' defense have gone unnoticed by most this season, but he definitely could surprise some people and earn a selection onto one of the All-Defensive Teams.

Ever since Kidd inserted Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford into the starting lineup, the team has gone 15-2, and Jones Jr.'s overall effect on the team should be talked about more.

With the way the NBA does their NBA All-Defensive Teams, it'll be extremely hard for Jones Jr. to make it, but these points above show why he should.