The Trail Blazers acquired the rights to the former Thunder first-round pick from the Lakers. Can he return to the NBA?

According to Jonathan Givony, a well-known reporter at the American draft website DraftExpress, the Portland Trail Blazers' affiliate of the NBA Development League, Tear City Mix, has reached a deal with the South Bay Lakers, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. Rip City Mix sent two future first-round picks and the NBA Development League ownership rights of wing player Will Richardson, and acquired the NBA Development League ownership rights of Dillon Jones, the first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, from the South Bay Lakers. In last week's NBA Development League draft, Jones was selected by the South Bay Lakers with the No. 1 overall pick in the first round.

Jones was born in October 2001 and is now 23 years old. He is a backcourt player from Weber State University selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 26th overall pick in the first round of last year's NBA draft. According to the data from the physical test during the joint trial before last year's NBA draft, Jones' barefoot height is 194.3cm, his wingspan is 210.8cm, his standing reach is 255.3cm, and his weight is 107.4kg. In order to get this first-round pick, the Thunder did not hesitate to send 5 second-round picks to the New York Knicks, which also shows that they are very optimistic about Jones' potential and future development.

In the NBA regular season last season, Jones played a total of 54 times in 82 games, averaging 10.2 minutes per game. He averaged 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game. He also had 0.5 turnovers and 1 foul. He shot 38.3% from the field, 25.4% from the three-point range, and 60.7% from the free throw line. In the playoffs, Jones only got a total of 2 playing opportunities and averaged only 4.6 minutes per game. His average data per game was as low as 2.3 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He also had 0.6 turnovers and 0.4 fouls. He shot 81.8% from the field, 75% from the three-point range, and 100% from the free throw line.

This summer, Jones was first sent to the Washington Wizards by the Thunder. In order to send Jones away, the Thunder had to pay a second-round pick. Jones previously represented the Wizards in the NBA Summer League. He played a total of 4 times in the Summer League, averaging 20.7 minutes per game. He averaged 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. He also had 2 turnovers and 1.2 fouls. He shot 48.3% from the field, 25% from the three-point range, and 78.6% from the free throw line. Jones also participated in the NBA preseason games on behalf of the Wizards. He played a total of 3 times in the preseason, averaging 11 minutes per game. He averaged 2 points, 3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. He also had 0.7 turnovers and 2 fouls. He shot 28.6% from the field, 0% from the three-point range, and 100% from the free throw line.

Perhaps because his performance during the preseason failed to meet expectations, the Wizards finally chose to waive the first-round pick. It was also reported before that Jones has attracted the attention of many teams, and some teams hope to get him. However, in the end, no team completed the signing with him. Next, we can also take a look at what kind of performance Jones can perform in the NBA Development League. After all, he is also a mature player, and he is also capable of supporting the team in all aspects. Can he attract the attention of NBA teams through his performance in the NBA Development League and strive to return to the NBA?