1 Question for every Dallas Mavericks player as countdown to NBA Playoffs begins

12. Derrick Jones Jr.

Will Derrick Jones Jr. remain in the starting lineup?

The Dallas Mavericks made a major change in the starting lineup a few weeks ago when head coach Jason Kidd inserted Derrick Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford into the starting lineup for Josh Green and Dereck Lively II.

This was a move that many fans questioned at the time, but Jones Jr. has been excellent as a shooter this month and his defense has been on point. In the month of March, Jones Jr. is averaging 7.9 points per game while shooting 45 percent from downtown. This shooting number is inflated from his 5-5 3-point shooting night against the Philadelphia 76ers, but Jones Jr. has also been a great slasher recently.

His improvement and confidence as a driver have been underrated, and he is one of the best dunkers on the team. Whether if he is attacking the rim after blowing by a closeout or running in transition, Jones Jr. is always a threat to throw down a thunderous slam.

Since the Mavs are rolling, it seems unlikely that Jones Jr. will lose his starting spot, but we won't know one way or another until Green returns from his ankle sprain. All signs point to Jones Jr. remaining the starter as he has been playing great recently, but nothing is guaranteed.

This is the perfect time for Jones Jr. to take his game to the next level.