Rumors: Mavericks 'hope' to give key starter a 'nice raise' to keep him in Dallas

Although the Dallas Mavericks are deep within a run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, rumors have already started flowing just as they always do when other teams around the NBA begin their offseason.

Stephen A. Smith dropped a juicy rumor earlier this week that the Mavs could try to jump the Los Angeles Lakers to draft Bronny James while potentially luring LeBron James to Dallas with him.

While that rumor seems like a longshot, there has also been key insider intel about one of the Mavericks' key starters who becomes a free agent this summer.

Rumors: Mavericks 'hope' to give Derrick Jones Jr. a 'nice raise' to keep him in Dallas

It was reported that Derrick Jones Jr. wants to be back in Dallas this summer, and another layer has been added to Jones Jr.'s free agency as ESPN's Tim MacMahon said that Jones Jr. has "positioned himself to get a really nice raise that the Mavericks hope to be able to give him." (58:04 mark)

This statement was in MacMahon's appearance on "The Lowe Post" with Zach Lowe, and this is great news for Mavs fans considering how much Jones Jr. means to this team.

Jones Jr. has taken his play to the next level on both ends of the floor in the playoffs, and his ability to knock down open shots makes him the perfect 3-and-D wing to pair next to Luka Doncic. Doncic has spoken highly of Jones Jr. all season long, and the Mavs have built an excellent starting lineup with Jones Jr. P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

This Mavs team loves to play defense, and keeping Jones Jr. should be atop of Dallas' summer to-do list, especially considering the defensive impact that he provides on a nightly basis. Jones Jr. loves to defend, never complains about his role, and seems to be the perfect teammate.

Him guarding the other team's best guard every single night doesn't go unnoticed, and he has been a key reason that the Mavs have made it this far into the postseason.

While Dallas remains focused on their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder considering that Game 6 is tonight, their focus could quickly shift to Jones Jr.'s free agency once the season ends. From what has been said recently, both sides want a reunion, but only time will tell how much the Mavs offer him and what other teams from around the NBA enter the Jones Jr. sweepstakes.

For all the latest on Derrick Jones Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs and into free agency, stay tuned.