PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have reportedly agreed to a veteran-minimum deal with the top remaining free agent point guard on the market.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on X: “Tyus Jones — the market’s top remaining free agent guard — has agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Bradbury of @LiftSportsMNGMT tells ESPN.”
Tyus Jones — the market’s top remaining free agent guard — has agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Bradbury of @LiftSportsMNGMT tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lhhJkKowQz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2024
Wojnarowski added a quote that Jones told ESPN about his signing with the Suns.
“The chance to play for the Phoenix Suns made the most sense on a lot of levels to me and my family – beginning with the way (Governor) Mat Ishbia and the front office recruited me to how Coach (Mike Budenholzer) showed me how I can significantly impact a team that has a real opportunity to challenge for an NBA title as their starting point guard,” Jones said.
“My agent (Kevin Bradbury) walked me and my family through multiple free agent offers and sign-and-trade proposals at a number of different financial levels but the Suns’ opportunity is where I can best maximize my value for a return to free agency next year as well as give myself a chance to be part of what I think will be a special team and season.”
Tyus Jones to ESPN on his decision to sign with the Suns pic.twitter.com/9IYGsvnG7R
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2024
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that Phoenix had a “real chance” of signing Jones earlier today. After this report, Gambadoro said that Jones chose the Suns over more money with the Atlanta Hawks and a return to the Memphis Grizzlies, presumably because he was promised a starting role, as he said in his quote to ESPN.
Jones chose the Suns and less money over Atlanta and Memphis
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 27, 2024
This quote also confirms this is a “prove-it” deal for Jones, who quickly becomes Phoenix’s top free agent signing. Phoenix will more than likely stretch and waive newly acquired E.J. Liddell to make room for Jones on the roster, a very strategic move by owner Mat Ishbia and the Suns front office:
The Tyus Jones signing technically could cost Phoenix nothing this season.
Here is why:
– Jones cap hit is $2.1M
– Savings in the Liddell/Roddy swap: $700K
– 2024-25 savings if Liddell is stretched: $1.4M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 27, 2024
The Suns are operating over the second tax apron and aren’t able to sign incoming free agents to anything else other than a veteran minimum.
The 6-foot-1 Jones, who averaged a career-best 12.0 points per game and 7.3 assists while being a full-time starter in his first season with the Washington Wizards last season, is coming off a two-year, $29 million deal signed with the Memphis Grizzlies at the beginning of the 2022 season, so this is a significant dropdown in money for him.
The 28-year-old Jones quickly developed into one of the top backup point guards in the league during his time in Memphis from 2019-23 before being traded to Washington last June. He was drafted 24th overall in 2015 by the Cleveland Cavaliers and then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night. He spent his first four years in Minnesota before signing with Memphis in 2019 and has played over 60 games in eight straight seasons after his rookie year.
In total, Jones has played in 601 career games (160 starts) and averaged 7.4 points, 4.3 assists to only 0.8 turnovers and 1.0 steals across his nine NBA seasons. He has also played in 27 career playoff games, including a 12-game stretch for Memphis in the 2022 playoffs in which he averaged 9.2 points, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals.
The Suns have already signed Monte Morris this offseason, filling a backup point guard position they did not have to end last season. With Jones and Morris, Phoenix now has the two best players in assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA.
Fun fact: Tyus Jones has the best AST/TOV ratio in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/yJhK1sLoIR
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 27, 2024
This is how Phoenix’s rotation could look with Jones starting:
- PG: Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, Josh Okogie
- SG: Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Damion Lee,
- SF: Devin Booker, Royce O’Neale, Nassir Little
- PF: Kevin Durant, Bol Bol, Ryan Dunn (R)
- C: Jusuf Nurkić, Mason Plumlee, Oso Ighodaro (R)
Insider: Suns have ‘real chance’ of landing top free agent point guard
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
