Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns should acquire Tyus Jones

By Khaleel Abdullah

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 11: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 11, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 11: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on November 11, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The point guard rotation in Phoenix at this moment is Mike James and Tyler Ulis. That’s it. The team needs to bring in another playmaker. The Suns should trade for Tyus Jones.

Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Eric Bledsoe are now a distant memory. Instead of star point guards Suns fans are left with Mike James and Tyler Ulis. Give all credit to the pair for trying their best to run the offense, but Mike James, as good of a story as he is, does not fit the timeline at 27 and Tyler Ulis has proven to be better off with the second unit.

Devin Booker is etched in stone as the team’s starting SG. He is 21-years-old, he scores at will, and is quickly getting to an All-Star level. Yes, the team needs more offense. However, they need something else at the other guard position: Devin needs another young player next to him that has solid defensive and play making ability allowing Booker to just get buckets.

Tyus Jones is a raw prospect at also only 21-years-old as well. In his lone year at Duke he put up a 42-38-89 shooting line with 11.8 points 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. This got him selected in the first round in 2015.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

However, a quarter through his 3rd season in the NBA and he has yet to earn consistent minutes. This is NOT due to a lack of talent. Minnesota, since acquiring him on draft day, has also had Ricky Rubio, Jeff Teague, Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, Aaron Brooks and Andre Miller at PG.

Granted, Jones has a career 39-33-75 shooting line through 117 games with averages of 3.7 points 2.7 assists and .8 steals in a very limited 14.2 minutes of playing time.

But in order to see how he starts to stand out, one must look at his potential.

First, let’s look closely at his shooting and scoring. It’s not the big reason why he would be acquired but it is important indeed. He has taken at least 5 shots in 33 games, averaging a decent 40-36-73 shooting line in those games with 6.9 points on 6.4 attempts. Stretched out that’s 10.8 points per 10 attempts. It isn’t great, but it is respectable and statistically better than his overall career shooting. It is also in line with what former teammate Kris Dunn is getting this year on the Chicago Bulls (39-35-75 shooting with 10.6 points on 11.4 field goal attempts).

Now, let’s dive into his passing and defense, the main duo of why he should be brought to the Valley of the Suns. Take those 29 games (which is 25% of his career) he’s played in where he’s led his team in assists and steals. This averages a line of 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. In the 13 games where he has played 25+ minutes, he’s averaged 6.1 assists and 2.5 steals with only 0.8 turnovers in 29.1 minutes.

There is consistency, not only in his play, but also in the formula used to look at his potential.

Play Making – 5.8 to 6.1 assists, which is higher than Mike James and Tyler Ulis in similar playing time.

Defense – 2.3 to 2.5 steals, which would put him behind only Paul George in that category.

In his start against the Suns this past week he had 7 steals and 2 blocks. The blocks were his first of the season and will be smiled at but discarded. The steals are another story. James has a total of 8 steals in his last 11 games. Ulis has a total of 7 steals in his last 6 games. That’s a huge difference on that side of the ball.

In Jones’ last two games he’s made 3 of 6 treys (50%), dished out 13 assists, stolen the ball 11 times, and swatted two shots while only turning the ball over three times. This is a young stud showcasing his talent and aching for a solid chance to play consistently.

Next: Future Suns: College Prospects Update

The Suns should give him that chance.

As noted before, Mike James is 27 and not part of the long-term future. Tyler Ulis can go back to excelling with the second unit. Tyus Jones can provide solid playmaking and defense on the starting unit next to Booker while Devin gets back to his scoring ways.

Phoenix has multiple ways of acquiring Tyus Jones and it would be interesting to see which deal Minny would bite on. The Suns could send a protected 1st round pick, send Mike James if the Wolves wanted a PG in return, or make it a bigger trade and include Tyson Chandler to add a solid defensive backup to Karl Anthony-Towns, while taking back Cole Aldrich who they could buy out.

Pick up the phone, McDonough. See what it would take. Tyus is a low risk acquisition that has the potential to be a really good reward.

Home/Suns News