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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Damian Jones
Summary
After signing a partially-guaranteed contract with the Suns in 2020, Jones was waived early in the '20-'21 season and bounced around. He spent a couple 10-day contracts with the Lakers, but they ended up signing Andre Drummond in the buyout market and chose not to sign Jones for the remainder of the season. The Kings then signed Jones to a multi-year deal.
Jones is a lob threat on offense, and not much else. However, if he gets an open lane to the rim where he can show off his athleticism, he can absolutely posterize defenders. His 83% shooting at the rim in '21-'22 was at the top of the league, according to Cleaning the Glass. If Jones can develop a more polished offensive game by increasing his range, setting better screens, or learning to pass out of the short roll, he could become a high-level backup center.
Defensively, Jones hasn't learned to use his big body to be a real rim protector inside, and his rebounding numbers leave a lot to be desired. However, he has consistently posted above-average steal and block rates.
It's not certain that Jones will have any offers above the minimum, but it's possible. Jones is already 26 and will be close to 27 when he hits free agency in 2022, so he's no longer a young prospect that you can expect development from. However, I think he's shown enough to stick around in the league a little longer, and some may view him as a legitimate value-add as a backup center.
Cap Considerations
Jones will be an unrestricted free agent with a $1.8 million cap hold and Early Bird rights. The Kings could offer Jones a starting salary of up to 5% more than the average salary (likely around $10.9 million) using the Early Bird exception, which will be more than enough should they wish to bring him back.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Jones as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. It's also possible that Jones only gets minimum offers.
Potential Teams: Kings, Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, Nuggets
Predicted Contract: 2-years, $10 million with the Kings
Actual Contract: 2-years, $4.9 million (2nd year player option) with the Lakers
I thought Jones could maybe get slightly more than the minimum, but this contract makes sense, as he played there recently and the Lakers have shown interest in the recent past.
Last updated: 6/30/2022
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