Tag: Derrick Jones Jr.

ESPN lists several 2024 NBA free agency targets for OKC Thunder

ESPN lists several 2024 NBA free agency targets for Thunder.

Entering the 2024 offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder have most of their rotation ready for next season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams round out one of the best trios.

It’ll be a quiet offseason as there isn’t a single notable player the Thunder have to sign to a deal this offseason. Josh Giddey, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe are all eligible for extensions, but nothing urgent needs to happen.

The Thunder enter the offseason with $35 million in cap space and a treasure trove of draft capital. If they wanted to, they could have some major roster shakeups.

Here’s who ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former front-office executive in the NBA, sees as plausible targets for the Thunder:

“Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Claxton, Isaiah Hartenstein, Klay Thompson, Goga Bitadze, Naji Marshall, Patrick Williams, Haywood Highsmith, Daniel Theis, Gary Harris, Sam Hauser, Precious Achiuwa and Alec Burks.”

All of these options are either athletic bigs who can help OKC’s size and rebounding woes or outside shooters who give it extra options to kick out to in its drive-heavy offense.

Some are more realistic than others, but that’s a sound strategy to follow for the Thunder. They don’t need to be a major bettor but could benefit from shoring up their depth chart.

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NBA Finals Game 1: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics best prop bet picks and predictions

Here are the 5 best prop bets for Thursday’s NBA Finals Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.

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The Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics play Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night. Tip-off from TD Garden in Boston is at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we break down FanDuel Sportsbook’s NBA Finals Game 1 prop bet odds and lines, and tab the 5 best Mavericks vs. Celtics prop bets to make among SportsbookWire’s expert NBA picks and predictions.

After a lengthy layoff since the conference finals, the Mavericks will play in their 1st NBA Finals since 2011 when they took home the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the only time in franchise history with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way against the Miami Heat. This is the Dallas’ 3rd NBA Finals trip as it lost to the Heat back in 2006.

The Boston Celtics are looking to break a tie with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers franchise for most NBA Championships. The C’s have 17, and would love to inch ahead in that rivalry.

Boston last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2022, falling in 6 games to the Golden State Warriors. Prior to that, the C’s fell to the Lakers in 7 games in 2010. Boston’s last title came in 2008 when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined a Doc Rivers’ team that already had Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.

Game 1: Best Mavericks at Celtics prop bet picks

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 a.m. ET.

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Mavericks PG Luka Doncic UNDER 31.5 points (-115)

Doncic will make his 1st NBA Finals appearance. He has had a strong playoffs, rolling for 28.8 points (PPG), 9.6 rebounds (RPG), 8.8 assists (APG) and 1.6 steals (SPG) per game through 17 postseason contests.

His target score for points is a bit high in Game 1. Yes, he balled out against Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 32.4 PPG in the 5 games, which was similar to his regular-season average of an NBA-best 33.9 PPG. However, facing the Celtics is a whole other animal.

During the regular season, Boston allowed just 109.2 PPG, which ranked 5th in the NBA, while limiting the opposition to just 45.3% from the field (2nd in the NBA), and 35.2% from behind the 3-point line (4th).

Doncic certainly isn’t going to lay an egg, but scoring more than 30 points against the Celtics is a bit ambitious. People will look to his 35.0 PPG average against Boston in 2 regular-season games to argue against going Under, but regular season and postseason are completely different. Those games weren’t on the world’s largest stage.

Doncic averaged 34.0 PPG in 2 regular-season games against OKC but was held to 24.7 PPG in 6 games against the Thunder in the Western semifinals. So, there’s that.

Celtics SF Jayson Tatum OVER 2.5 3-pointers (-136)

Tatum is a good bet to hit at least 3 triples in Game 1 as he enjoys a little bit of home cooking.

He is looking to avenge an NBA Finals loss in his 1st-career appearance in 2022. Tatum hit 20 3-pointers in the 6 games of that Finals. He has that experience to tap into and is the favorite to win the Finals MVP at -125; Doncic is 2nd at +210.

The Mavericks were just so-so during the regular season guarding against the 3, allowing teams to hit 36.8% from behind the arc, 18th in the NBA. Defensively, the Mavs allowed 115.6 PPG, and 47.5% shooting from the field, both ranking 20th.

Tatum sank 8 triples in the final 2 games of the sweep against Indiana in the East Finals, hitting at least 3 in each of those outings.

1st-quarter total points UNDER 55.5 (-122)

The O/U total for Game 1 is set at 215 (O: -110 | U: -110). While the Celtics were in the NBA Finals in 2022, again, there are just a few holdovers. Outside of SG Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks do not have a lot of experience in the Finals, either.

Look for these teams to slowly get their sea legs after a lengthy layoff, too. There will be butterflies. There will be rust. That’s a good recipe for a slow start, and a low score in the opening 12 minutes.

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Mavericks SG Kyrie Irving to RECORD 4+ ASSISTS (-240)

This is not recommended as a standalone wager, as risking 2.4 times your potential wager provides very little in the way of value in hoping Irving gets at least 4 assists.

However, including this wager along with all of the other props is great for a Same-Game Parlay (SGP). Irving had at least 4 assists in all 5 games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Finals. Plus, he had 4 or more dimes in 14 of his 17 games this postseason, including in 8 of his past 9.

Mavericks SF Derrick Jones Jr. to RECORD 1+ STEALS (-105)

At near even-money, this is a solid play. It’s the kind of prop which can make or break an SGP, as it is a coin-flip, though.

However, Jones had 3 steals in the Minnesota series, and he has at least 1 theft in 5 of his past 9 postseason games. He averaged 33.0 minutes per game in the Western Conference Finals, and there is ample opportunity for his quick hands to get you on the board.

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The NBA Finals are set to deliver plenty of excitement, but they will be over before you know it. Fill that void until Summer League and the fall return of hoops by taking a spin at some of the best slot sites in the US.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Did Derrick Jones Jr. call out the Chicago Bulls?

Mavs small forward Derrick Jones Jr. had some choice words about the Bulls.

For the most part, fans of the Chicago Bulls have been taking in the 2024 NBA offseason as general manager Arturas Karnisovas and the rest of the team’s front office reshape the team after several rough seasons.

Yet their favorite ball club may have caught a stray ahead of the start of the 2024 NBA Finals series between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Evidently, Mavs small forward Derrick Jones Jr. had some choice words about the Bulls in a recent interview ahead of the start of the finals. The former Chicago swingman has found a new home on a successful ball club, so it is unclear what the animus might be.

The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took a closer look on a recent episode of their podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Jones’ pot shots at his former team.

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Bulls forward’s future with team impacted by rookie Julian Phillips

This Chicago Bulls forward’s future with the team could be in jeopardy thanks to rookie Julian Phillips.

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The Chicago Bulls have serious roster tweaking to do this summer if they hope to be a serious playoff contender next season. The core of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic is solid, but not quite there yet. Chicago needs to add talent around them to give the team a boost.

However, they need to worry about bringing their guys back first. Derrick Jones Jr. recently declined his player option, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. While the Bulls could try to bring him back, it seems unlikely.

According to Will Gottlieb of CHGO, Marc Eversley said Jones declining his option influenced the team’s decision to trade into the 2023 NBA draft and select Tennessee forward Julian Phillips.

“Eversley says DJJ turning down his option played “a bit of a factor for sure” in the trade for Julian Phillips,” Gottlieb tweeted.

The Bulls traded into the second round of the draft in a deal with the Washington Wizards, landing the 35th pick and using it to select Phillips.

The 19-year-old forward is 6-foot-8 and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Phillips has been praised for his athleticism and defensive presence, both of which Jones brought to the table.

However, Jones is only 6-foot-6, but he does have a seven-foot wingspan.

If the Bulls feel confident in Phillips’ ability to defend at an NBA level, they should feel comfortable letting Jones walk and rolling with the rookie in his place moving forward.

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Report: Derrick Jones Jr. declines player option with Bulls

Chicago Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. has declined his player option for the 2023-23 NBA season.

The Chicago Bulls have some vital roster decisions to make this summer. While a rebuild could be the smartest move for the future of the franchise, Arturas Karnisovas seems intent on running it back with the current core. And if that’s the case, he’ll need to make some big-time additions to the roster.

In addition to attacking the trade market and nailing free agency, the Bulls also need to focus on retaining their current talent. Guys like Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu are all in need of new contracts. However, in the case of one of their players, the decision was not theirs to make.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. will be declining his player option, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“Chicago Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. is declining his $3.3 million player option for the 2023-24 season and entering unrestricted free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium,” Charania tweeted.

Jones Jr. appeared in a career-high 64 games for the Bulls this past season, playing 14.0 minutes. He averaged 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting from the field and 33.8 percent shooting from behind the three-point line.

Heading into free agency, the Bulls will be in serious need of forward help, especially now that Jones Jr. may not be back. Outside of Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, they don’t have much depth at that position off the bench. It will be a huge need for them this summer.

Throw in their need at the point guard spot and lack of three-point shooting, and the Bulls will have a lot of choices to make.

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Bulls player grades: Season-best night for DeMar DeRozan in loss vs. Celtics

Grading the Chicago Bulls after a 123-119 loss on Friday in Boston.

The Chicago Bulls (5-5) took their 2-game win streak into TD Garden on Friday night to face the Boston Celtics and lost 123-119. After beating the Celtics 120-102 on October 24th, the regular-season series is now 1-1.

Despite guard DeMar DeRozan erupting for a season-high 46 points (13-23 from the field, 20-22 from the free-throw line), Chicago could not complete the comeback. Center Nikola Vucevic scored an efficient 24 points while pulling down 12 rebounds while guard Zach LaVine had a decent game of 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Chicago shot 51.8% from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc, but they allowed Boston forward Jayson Tatum (36 points) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (25 points) to make shots when it mattered the most.

Here are the player grades for Friday’s game:

Report: Derrick Jones Jr. resigns with Bulls on two-year deal

Chicago brings back Jones Jr. to bulk up their defensive versatility.

After resigning Zach LaVine to a five-year max contract, the Bulls brought back some of their depth.

Reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Derrick Jones Jr. agreed to a two-year, $6.6 million deal to return to Chicago with a player option in the second year.

Jones Jr. gives the Bulls a versatile wing on the defensive end who can defend multiple positions spanning from the perimeter to inside the paint.

In 51 games with Chicago last season, Jones Jr. averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 33% from 3-point range.

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WATCH: Lonzo Ball, new Bulls throw out first pitch at White Sox game

The new additions to the Bulls roster got welcomed to the city last night at the White Sox game.

There’s no better way to be welcomed to a new city for an athlete than throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.

For Lonzo Ball and company, that was their introduction to Chicago on Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Derrick Jones Jr., and Tony Bradley threw out the first pitch at the Chicago White Sox game last night against the Los Angeles Angels.

 

Though White Sox fans were presumably excited to see the new Bulls players out at the game last night, I think it’s safe to say that these guys should stick to basketball.

Check out their first pitches in the video below.

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Bulls news: Chicago trades Lauri Markkanen in three-team deal

The Bulls have finally traded Lauri Markkanen, and received multiple draft picks in the return package.

Bulls fans had been hearing rumors over potential Lauri Markkanen trades for months, and on Friday news finally broke of a three-team deal involving the former No. 7 overall pick. Markkanen, a restricted free agent, is headed to Cleveland as part of a sign-and-trade.

In a deal reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bulls will receive two protected draft picks in the three-team deal, as well as 24-year-old Derrick Jones Jr. from the Blazers.

Jones Jr., a 6-foot-5 wing, is a former Slam Dunk Contest champion and made an NBA Finals appearance with the Heat in 2020. In his only season with the Blazers, Jones Jr. made 58 appearances and started 43 games, averaging 22.7 minutes, 6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Bulls receive: Derrick Jones Jr., protected 2022 first-rounder (via Portland), 2023 protected second-rounder (via Denver)

Cavaliers receive: Lauri Markkanen

Trail Blazers receive: Larry Nance Jr.

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Lakers vs. Blazers recap: Portland rallies in 4th quarter to steal W

The Los Angeles Lakers are now 2-2 after Monday night’s loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were in a position to have another one of the same games they’ve had to start the season. But instead of LeBron James being able to comfortably watch the last few minutes of the game and start his leisure earlier than expected, James played 36 minutes for the Lakers tonight in a 115-107 win by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Lakers.

Portland was solid on the defensive end in the second half of the game. Derrick Jones Jr. was a legitimate pest for LeBron James and Anthony Davis didn’t seem to be keen on getting to first gear. And who could blame AD, given that it’s 2020 in the middle of a pandemic.

The Lakers lost at home for the first time since opening night and it came at the hands of a team that didn’t lose by 50 points at home, so they shouldn’t feel too bad about the loss. The Lakers start a four-game road trip on Wednesday night.

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