NBA money is weird. One day you’re on a minimum deal, basically playing for scraps in league terms, and the next you’re signing a life-changing contract that has everyone debating your "market value." That’s the exact ride we’ve seen with Derrick Jones Jr lately. After a massive breakout year in Dallas, the man they call "Airplane Mode" didn’t just take flight on the court; he finally saw his bank account do the same.
The derrick jones jr salary conversation isn't just about a single number, though. It's about a 3-year, $30 million commitment from the Los Angeles Clippers that serves as a case study in how the NBA rewards "3-and-D" specialists. If you’ve followed his career from being an undrafted high-flyer in Phoenix to a defensive cornerstone in LA, you know this payday was a long time coming.
Honestly, $10 million a year sounds like a lot—and it is—but in the context of the current NBA salary cap, it’s actually a bit of a steal for a starter.
Breaking Down the Derrick Jones Jr Salary with the Clippers
Let’s get into the weeds of the actual paperwork. On July 10, 2024, Derrick Jones Jr officially put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2026-27 season. This wasn't some complex, incentive-laden contract filled with "unlikely bonuses." It's a straightforward, fully guaranteed $30,000,000 bag.
For the current 2025-26 season, Jones is taking home exactly $10,000,000.
If you want to see how that scales, he earned $9,523,810 last year. Next year, he’ll see a slight bump to $10,476,190. It’s a classic 5% annual raise structure. He’s currently 28 years old, which means he’s effectively spending his entire physical prime on this contract. By the time he hits Unrestricted Free Agency (UFA) in the summer of 2027, he’ll be 30.
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The Clippers used their Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) to make this happen. That’s a specific "tool" in the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows teams over the cap to still sign quality players. It’s basically the league's way of saying, "We know you're broke, but here's a coupon for one decent starter."
Why the Dallas Mavericks Couldn't Keep Him
You might remember the drama of the 2024 offseason. Dallas fans were desperate to keep DJJ. He was a vital part of their Finals run, locking up perimeter threats and catching lobs from Luka Dončić like it was his job—mainly because it was his job.
But there was a snag. A big one.
The Mavericks were limited by what they could offer because of their cap situation. They really wanted him back, but the Clippers swooped in with that $30 million total value. There was also a minor agency shift involved. DJJ switched representation to Rich Paul and Klutch Sports right before the deal went down. In the NBA, when you hire Rich Paul, it usually means you aren't looking for a "hometown discount."
He went from a $2.7 million minimum deal in Dallas to a $10 million average annual salary in LA. That is a nearly 270% pay increase. You can’t blame a guy for taking that.
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A Career Built on Betting on Himself
If you look at his career earnings, it’s a zig-zag. He started as an undrafted rookie in 2016 making about $543k. Then he had that $19 million stint with Portland that didn't quite work out. After that? He was back to "prove it" deals.
- Chicago Bulls (2022): Signed a 2-year, $6.6M deal but actually declined a $3.3M player option to enter a dry market. Bold.
- Dallas Mavericks (2023): Signed for the veteran minimum ($2.7M). This was the ultimate "bet on yourself" move.
- LA Clippers (2024): The payout. $30M total.
Total career earnings for Derrick Jones Jr are now hovering around $65 million. Not bad for a guy who wasn't even invited to the draft stage in 2016.
Is He Overpaid?
Some critics look at his 10 points per game and wonder why he's making eight figures. It's a fair question if you only look at box scores. But the Clippers aren't paying for points. They’re paying for the fact that he can guard four positions and doesn't need the ball to be effective.
In the 2025-26 season so far, he's been a defensive monster. He’s arguably their third most important defender after Ivica Zubac and Kris Dunn. His shooting has also stabilized. Last year he hit a career-high 35.6% from deep. If he stays in that 35-37% range, $10 million a year is actually below market value for a starting-caliber wing.
Compare him to other guys in the league. Lonzo Ball is making $10 million this year. Caleb Martin is around $9.5 million. In a world where the top stars are making $50-60 million, paying a high-end role player 6.5% of your total cap is just smart business.
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What’s Next for the Airplane Mode Economy?
Derrick Jones Jr is in a great spot. He’s playing in a brand-new arena (the Intuit Dome), living in LA, and has total financial security for the first time in his life. He doesn't have to worry about "non-guaranteed" dates or being waived before his salary kicks in.
As the NBA cap continues to rise—thanks to the massive new TV deals—his derrick jones jr salary of $10 million is going to look smaller and smaller. By 2027, $10 million might be what a backup point guard makes.
If he continues to develop his corner three-point shot, he’s going to be looking at another massive contract when he hits 30. For now, he’s the definition of a "star in his role." He knows what he is. The Clippers know what he is. And the bank certainly knows who he is.
Actionable Insights for Following NBA Salaries:
- Track the Percentage, Not the Total: When evaluating if a player is "overpaid," look at what percentage of the salary cap they take up (DJJ is roughly 6.5%).
- Watch the Agency: Keep an eye on Klutch Sports clients entering free agency; they historically push for fully guaranteed mid-to-high-level deals rather than short-term flexibility.
- Monitor the 3-and-D Market: Players like DJJ are the "middle class" of the NBA. Their salary fluctuates based on whether the league is valuing "potential" or "proven playoff production" in any given summer.