Ranking the Dallas Mavericks' wing options for 2023-24 season

2. Derrick Jones Jr.

Derrick Jones Jr. has been the Mavericks' starting small forward over the past two games. He has averaged 2.5 points per game while shooting 25 percent in under 13 minutes. Against the Spurs, he had one point and missed all three of his shot attempts.

So why start him?

He is a lengthy player who can be valuable on defense. Jones Jr. can switch between the three and four spots, as he spent 96 percent of his time last season at the power forward or center position (even though Dallas likely won't utilize him much at the five).

The problem is he is not a high-scoring player who drops in 10-12 points per game. Defensively, it makes sense why coach Jason Kidd is rolling with him. However, playing him for more than 14 minutes is something that hasn't happened yet.

In Chicago, he was best known for his flashy style of play when in transition. He often throws down high-flying dunks in transition, and fans are always on the edge of their seats when he takes off.

Assuming Dallas continues to insert Jones Jr. into the starting lineup, they must figure out how to utilize his offensive talents more.

Compared to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, he can get it done on both sides of the court. It's possible with more playing time his offensive numbers could improve.