Official Announcement! S-Tier Move! What Can Tyus Jones Bring to the Suns?

The Phoenix Suns have finally filled their point guard vacancy. On July 31, 2024, the Suns officially announced the signing of free agent point guard Tyus Jones. According to previous reports, Jones agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million veteran minimum contract. This move is nothing short of remarkable for the Suns, with renowned salary cap expert Bobby Marks praising it on the show "NBA Today," stating, "The Suns signed the second-best point guard in this summer's free agency, with the first being Maxey."

Jones played for the Washington Wizards last season, and despite the team's dismal record of only 15 wins throughout the season, Jones' performance was impressive. He played in 66 games, all as a starter, averaging 29 minutes per game. Jones put up 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, with shooting splits of 48.9% from the field, 41.4% from three, and 80.0% from the free-throw line.

Jones' strengths can be summarized in three key areas:

1. Three-Point Shooting: Last season, Jones averaged 1.6 three-pointers per game with a 41.4% success rate, both career highs. Additionally, he shot 39.0% and 37.1% from beyond the arc in the previous two seasons, respectively, with a career average of 36.7%.

2. Passing Ability: His 7.3 assists per game last season were also a career high, ranking ninth in the league, surpassing All-Stars like Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, and Jalen Brunson.

3. Turnover Control: Jones recorded 485 assists against just 66 turnovers, resulting in an assist-to-turnover ratio of an astonishing 7.35, the best in the league. Since the 2018-19 season, Jones has led the NBA in this metric for six consecutive years, with ratios of 6.96, 5.18, 5.4, 7.04, and 5.64 in the past five seasons, respectively.

Given the Wizards' poor performance, Jones' true value was overshadowed. To understand his impact, one must look back to his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies two years ago. That season, the Grizzlies performed better without their star player Ja Morant, and Jones was a significant contributor. The data from that season shows that when Jones was on the court, the Grizzlies outscored opponents by 7.6 points per 100 possessions, compared to just 3.6 points when he was off the court. His cumulative plus-minus of +255 ranked fourth on that Grizzlies team.

However, despite his impressive stats, Jones could only secure a veteran minimum contract. There are two main reasons for this:

First, Jones' physical attributes limit his impact. His ability to finish through contact and his overall defense are areas of concern. This is evident from his low free-throw attempts—he shot just 40 free throws over 66 games last season. His defensive struggles were also apparent during his time with the Grizzlies, where opponents shot 1.7% better when guarded by him.

Second, the market conditions this year were not favorable. It wasn't a significant free agency period, with few teams having the cap space and need for a point guard. Additionally, new regulations have imposed harsher penalties on teams exceeding the second luxury tax apron, discouraging teams from offering sizable contracts.

Jones, theoretically worth a multi-million dollar annual salary based on his abilities, waited nearly a month without receiving a matching offer before deciding to join the Suns on a minimum deal. For Jones, joining the Suns is a wise choice, as they desperately needed a competent point guard to orchestrate their offense featuring stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.

Upon signing with the Suns, Jones expressed his enthusiasm: "Signing with the Suns makes perfect sense. The management actively recruited me, and Coach Budenholzer showed me how I could make an impact. I can be the starting point guard and help the Suns compete for an NBA championship."

From his statement, it's clear the Suns offered Jones a starting role. If Jones seamlessly integrates into the Suns' system and helps the team achieve significant success, he could position himself for a substantial contract next summer.

However, there are challenges ahead. The Suns' payroll is already sky-high. Previously, signing Josh Okogie for $8 million per year resulted in a luxury tax bill of $33 million. Although Jones' salary is just $3.3 million, the additional luxury tax could exceed $13 million, bringing the Suns' total payroll and luxury tax bill for the upcoming season to over $430 million, a staggering figure.

Another concern is the team's defense. The Suns already struggled defensively, and with Jones joining a potential starting backcourt of himself, Booker, and Beal, the only strong defender in Grayson Allen might be relegated to the bench. Furthermore, the Suns have not significantly bolstered their interior defense, raising questions about how their defense will hold up with a smaller lineup on the floor.

Nevertheless, acquiring Jones for just $3.3 million, a player who performed at a near multi-million dollar level last season, is commendable. The Suns' front office, especially owner Mat Ishbia, has shown a willingness to spend big in hopes of improving the team's fortunes. Fans hope the new-look Suns will perform better than last season and live up to their championship aspirations.

Jones' signing represents a critical piece in the Suns' quest for an NBA title. His ability to shoot, pass, and control the game with minimal mistakes can significantly enhance the Suns' offense, providing stability and efficiency. The upcoming season will reveal whether this strategic move pays off, but for now, the Suns' decision to sign Jones looks like a masterstroke.