PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns suffer its first casualty in free agency, with last year’s starting point guard Tyus Jones signing with the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Jones signed with Phoenix last offseason on a discount, one-year, vet minimum deal. The 29-year-old was seen as the missing piece for the roster, as the only true point guard. However, that was quickly proven wrong, with the Suns missing the playoffs and Jones leaving the following offseason.
Feb 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Charania on Jones leaving Suns:
Re-signing Jones was unlikely, as the former Duke Blue Devils point guard was viewed as one of the premier backup point guards in the league and was going to get a bigger payday elsewhere. Jones got it from a Magic team that already went all in trading a handful of first-round picks for Desmond Bane earlier this Summer.
Mar 10, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots as Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In his lone season in the Valley, Jones averaged 10.2 points and 5.4 assists. He helped raised the team’s AST/TO from 25th to 17th after his arrival and did help with the ball handling. Regardless, his addition wasn’t enough to fix the mess of last year’s roster. General manager Brian Gregory will need to look for Jones’ replacement in free agency, which could be a region with a former Suns guard.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
