The Los Angeles Lakers brought in young center Damian Jones to help add some more depth to the center position. Before signing with the Lakers, Jones spent fourteen games with the Phoenix Suns. He was not given much floor time with the Suns, and as a result, did not put up very impressive numbers.
With the Suns, Jones averaged 6.7 minutes, 1.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks per game. After his time with the Suns, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers. After catching the eye of Frank Vogel, Rob Pelinka, and the rest of the Lakers coaching staff/front office, Jones was given a second 10-day contract.
He was not offered another contract after his second 10-day contract, however, the Lakers should keep an eye on him to sign for the remainder of the season, especially if they strike out in the buyout market.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers should bring back Damian Jones for the year:
During his eight-game run with the Lakers, Jones started in six games and played a role that was very reminiscent of JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard last season.
Jones averaged 5.4 points on 94.1% shooting, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. Although he is not the interior defender that McGee or Howard was, Jones plays the role well enough to bring him in as apart of the roster at least for the rest of the season.
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Although he did not have the blocks that we saw from the centers of last season, Jones still had a great defensive rating of 105 and an astronomical offensive rating of 159.
In a recent interview, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said that there is still a chance the team could bring Jones back later in the season.
"“With DJ, the door’s not closed, but we’re going to use this time — this window of time here approaching the trade deadline and buyout market — to maintain our flexibility during this stretch and see what’s ahead of us,” Vogel said. “DJ did a great job for us and the door’s not closed.”"
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis sidelined, the Lakers have not been weaker since LeBron signed with the team in 2019.
It would make sense for both sides to make a deal for the rest of the season. For the Lakers, they would be able to see what Jones can do with the Lakers with the ball in his hands more with Davis and James out.
Along with this, the Lakers need as many competent players on the roster that they can with their two MVP candidates out.
For Jones, it is likely that even after the impressive showing he had with the Lakers, it is likely that there will not be many teams coming his way with anything more than a 10-day contract. If the Lakers were to bring him in for the rest of the season, it would give them a traditional center that thrives in their offense and would give Jones the stability of having a team to play for the remainder of the year.