The Los Angeles Lakers made their first move of the 2022 NBA free agency period by signing Damian Jones to a two-year deal. The second year is a player option, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (per Jones' agent).
The deal is on the veteran's minimum, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Jones, a 6'11, 27-year-old center, played eight games for the Lakers late in the 2020-21 season while on a 10-day contract. Over those few weeks, he proved to be an effective rim-runner and athletic defensive presence. In fact, he shot 16-of-17 from the field and averaged 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes in purple-and-gold.
Jones was productive over the course of 56 contests (18.2 minutes per game) for the Sacramento Kings in 2021-22. He averaged 16.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per-36 while shooting 65.8% from the field and 71.8% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers wanted to get younger, more athletic, and longer in the frontcourt and improve their rebounding and rim protection. They also want players behind Anthony Davis (and LeBron James) who can be available every game. Jones checks those boxes.
Damian Jones:
• 8.1 PPG
• 4.4 RPG
• 0.8 BPG
• 65.8% FG
• 18 MPG27 years old
Extremely athletic
Can switch onto the perimeter better than you’d thinkGlad to have him back with the Lakers 🔥🔥 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/efBljpivnl
— 🌟Fake (@LALeBron23) June 30, 2022
After three seasons at Vanderbilt, the Baton Rouge native was drafted in the first round (30th overall) by the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Draft. He appeared in 49 games over three seasons with the Warriors, then had short stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns before his brief run with the Lakers. He finished the 2020-21 season in Sacramento.
Just like last summer, the Lakers' free-agent activity has begun with a familiar face.
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