Basketball fans in Los Angeles aren't exactly used to subtle moves. Usually, it's the blockbuster trades and the "superteam" chatter that dominates the headlines. But when the Derrick Jones Jr Clippers era began in the summer of 2024, it felt different. It wasn't about adding another ball-dominant superstar; it was about adding the glue.
Honestly, the move caught some people off guard. Derrick Jones Jr. was coming off a massive run with the Dallas Mavericks, helping them reach the NBA Finals as a defensive specialist. Most folks expected him to stay put in Texas. Instead, he headed to LA on a three-year, $30 million deal. Looking back at the 2025 season and the early stretch of 2026, it’s clear why Ty Lue wanted him.
He's basically the ultimate "connector" for a roster that can sometimes feel a bit heavy with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
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Why the Derrick Jones Jr Clippers Fit Just Works
If you watch the Clippers regularly, you’ve seen the "Airplane Mode" highlights. He’s arguably the most athletic player on the roster, which is saying something given their depth. But it's not just about the dunks.
The Clippers needed a guy who could guard the opposing team’s best player for 30 minutes and not demand a single post-up in return. Jones Jr. fits that to a T. During the 2024-25 campaign, he put up a career-high 10.1 points per game while shooting over 35% from deep. That might not sound like "superstar" numbers, but for a fifth option? It's gold.
His defensive versatility is the real story. He spent the season sliding between guarding shifty point guards like De'Aaron Fox and wrestling with bigger wings. Ty Lue has used him as a Swiss Army knife.
The Mid-Season Injury Bug
The 2025-2026 season hasn't been all smooth sailing. Just when the team was finding a rhythm, Jones Jr. went down with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee. It happened against the Celtics—a team that seems to have the Clippers' number lately.
The timing was brutal. He re-injured that same knee in early January 2026, and now he’s looking at a re-evaluation around the All-Star break. Without him, the Clippers’ "point of attack" defense looks a lot thinner. You can really tell the difference when he’s not there to disrupt passing lanes.
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- Defensive Impact: He ranks in the top percentiles for rim defense among wings.
- Offensive Efficiency: In 2025, he shot a ridiculous 75.2% at the rim.
- The Contract: At $10 million a year, he’s one of the best value-for-money starters in the league.
The Offensive Spacing Question
You’ve probably heard the critics. "Can he shoot well enough to stay on the floor in the playoffs?" It’s a fair question. In the 2025 playoffs against the Nuggets, Denver basically dared him to shoot. He hit about 30% of his threes in that series, which isn't quite enough to keep defenses honest.
But here's the thing: Jones Jr. doesn't just stand in the corner. He’s an elite cutter. When James Harden is operating the pick-and-roll, Jones Jr. finds these tiny windows to slash to the basket. If the defense falls asleep for a split second, he’s at the rim for an alley-oop.
He’s also improved his corner three-pointer. It’s the "P.J. Tucker" role but with 40 more inches of vertical leap.
How the Clippers Replace Him for Now
With Derrick sidelined until mid-to-late February, the rotation is in flux. Nicolas Batum—the ageless wonder—has been soaking up some of those minutes. We’re also seeing more of the rookie Kobe Sanders and the energetic Kris Dunn.
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Dunn and Jones Jr. together were a nightmare for opposing backcourts earlier this year. They were basically the "Terror Twins" on the perimeter. Losing half of that duo has forced the Clippers to play a more traditional, slower-paced style.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Role
A lot of fans think of Jones Jr. as just a dunker. That's a mistake. He’s actually one of the more disciplined team defenders in the NBA. He rarely blows a rotation. In a system like Ty Lue's, which requires a ton of switching, that IQ is more important than the vertical.
Also, his contract is surprisingly tradeable. While the Clippers love him, a $10 million salary for a 28-year-old wing in his prime is a massive asset. If the Clippers decide to go all-in for another star at the 2026 deadline, Jones Jr. is exactly the type of player a rebuilding team would want.
That said, I don't see them moving him. He's too vital to their identity as a "hard-nosed, defensive-first" squad.
The Road Ahead
The goal for the Derrick Jones Jr Clippers partnership is simple: get healthy for April. The Clippers aren't worried about the standings as much as they are about having their "stopping" lineup ready for the postseason.
If Jones Jr. comes back from this MCL sprain with his explosiveness intact, the Clippers are a dark horse in the West. If he’s slowed down, they have a massive hole at the power forward spot that even Kawhi Leonard can't fully patch.
Actionable Insights for Clippers Fans
- Watch the "Point of Attack": When Jones Jr. returns, watch how high he picks up the ball handler. His pressure changes the entire geometry of the floor.
- Corner Watch: Keep an eye on his corner three-point percentage. If he’s above 37%, the Clippers’ offense becomes almost impossible to guard.
- Rotation Shifts: Pay attention to how Ty Lue pairs him with Ivica Zubac. That duo provides the best rim protection the team has seen in years.
Derrick Jones Jr. isn't going to win an MVP, and he might not even make an All-Defensive team this year because of the games missed. But for the Clippers to win a title, he might be the most important player not named Kawhi or James. He does the dirty work so they don't have to.
Keep an eye on the injury reports as we head into February. The Clippers' ceiling for the 2026 playoffs depends almost entirely on whether "Airplane Mode" is cleared for takeoff.