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Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Free agent Tyus Jones remains the top guard on the market, agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, his agent Kevin Bradberry of Lift Sports Management told ESPN on Saturday.
Jones would be a big addition to the Suns, who struggled last season without a true point guard. After averaging 12.0 points and 7.3 assists with the Washington Wizards in 2023-24, Jones would have a chance to make an impact on a Western Conference championship contender before potentially hitting the cash-rich free-agent market again next summer.
The Suns, with their tight salary cap, could only offer Jones the veteran minimum.
“The opportunity to play for the Phoenix Suns made sense for me and my family in many ways. [governor] Matt Ishbia and the front office hired me as coach. [Mike Budenholzer] “He's shown that he can make a big impact as a starting point guard on a team that can seriously challenge for an NBA title,” Jones told ESPN on Saturday.
“My agent [Bradbury] “There were multiple free agent offers and sign-and-trade proposals at various economic levels that were explained to me and my family, but the opportunity with the Suns is one where I can maximize my value heading into free agency next year as well as give myself a chance to be part of what I believe will be a special team and season.”
The Suns had been keen to tout Jones' potential role with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on a team that is gunning for a deep Western Conference playoff run.
Jones, 28, spent four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies playoff teams prior to joining the Wizards. He spent his first four NBA seasons (2015-2019) with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jones appeared in 12 playoff games with the Grizzlies in 2022, averaging 9.2 points, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Jones' assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.35 last season was the highest in a season by any player since individual turnovers were first recorded in 1977-78, according to ESPN Stats & Information. During that span, Jones has recorded three best seasons, 7.04 in '21-22 and 6.96 in 2018-19.
