Cleveland Cavaliers should be interested in Derrick Jones, for the right price

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be interested in Derrick Jones this offseason.

With free agency around the corner, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to look to bring in some players, while hopefully keeping their salary cap space healthy for 2021. That means signing mid-tier talent to affordable and team-friendly deals. One of those players who could provide a lot of value for the team is current Miami Heat starter Derrick Jones Jr.

The rumor of the Cavs interest comes from the Athletic’s John Hollinger.

Jones isn’t known for his dynamic offensive skill set but has been an incredible defender for the Heat, and started 51 of 51 games for the team. Jones brings an elite level of defense and can play inside and out; either as a big wing, or a small low-post player working against other forwards and centers.

While he’s not a highly-skilled offensive talent, barely 27% from three, he wouldn’t be signed to be a primary scorer. A physical defender role is exactly what he would excel at in the Cavaliers system, under head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

The team will only have the mid-level exception in 2020 to sign Jones, however. Unless Andre Drummond opts-out of his current deal and the team moves on from Kevin Love. As both moves seem unlikely, expect the Cavs to try and get the 2020 NBA Dunk Champion with the mid-level exception.

What would it look like?

The signing of Jones would more than likely see either Darius Garland, Collin Sexton or Cedi Osman become the team’s primary option off the bench. Putting Garland, Osman, and Jones with Love and Drummond would be a great starting five and would allow Sexton to become the team’s Manu Ginobili, an elite level scorer who plays primarily a sixth man role.

The move works fundamentally and assuming the team brings back Tristan Thompson, Matthew Delevedova, and gets a really high draft pick then this is a squad that could either compete right away or has the assets to go get a major name to help them compete right away.

Jones to the Cavs works for the Cavs but will it appeal to Jones? That’s what we’ll have to wait and see.