08-10-2023, 06:33 PM
(08-10-2023, 01:56 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: “Working out well” here is one thing. I wanted DJJ back when he was a free agent the last time. I think he was 21-22 at the time. I see the vision for his fit.
“Play more minutes than either Maxi or Grant Williams” seems impossible to me. Maybe if Kleber is hurt a lot again.
Maxi struggled last season after his return from injury. It's likely that he returned too soon but I think it's also likely that a 31-year post-major lower extremity injury never returns to his pre-injury level. I think Jones and Maxi provide similar skillsets defensively but with Jones being better able to cover quicker players and Maxi better able to defend bigs. They provide different skill sets offensively. I think Jones was clearly a better player than Maxi last season. We'll have to see how Maxi recovers.
As to Grant Williams, we'll see. I think Williams is a great 3-point shooter who is average defensively. That's a valuable player but I think the board is overrating him somewhat. Jones is a significantly better defender than Williams and better able to finish in the pick and roll. On a team that is already excellent offensively, I predict Kidd will appreciate the defense that Jones provides. I may end up being wrong but I predict Jones will play more than 25 mpg.
I agree with your earlier post that Jones pairs nicely with either Kleber or Williams. I think most lineups will include one of Kleber or Williams and one of Powell or Jones. We'll see what Jason Kidd prefers in a few months.