Magic finally learn why Suns felt fine letting Tyus Jones go

No point guard? No problem for the Phoenix Suns so far this season. They've had Devin Booker around to do a little bit of everything offensively, including dishing out seven assists per game. That's right around the numbers he managed when Kevin Durant was in town, while we've barely seen the exciting tandem of Booker and Jalen Green in the backcourt together.

Former Suns' point guard Tyus Jones struggling badly for Magic.

Spare a thought for the Suns' floor general from last season in Tyus Jones though, as he is having an awful time with the Orlando Magic. The thinking of Jones at this point last season was that, coming off a nice campaign with the Washington Wizards in which he became a starter, he could showcase himself in Phoenix, maybe in a ring and get paid elsewhere.

Winning a championship appears laughable now on reflection, and Jones wasn't paid handsomely by the Magic either. One-year and $7 million meaning he'll be trying to find long-term financial security again next summer, only this time he might not even find a spot in the league. It's been a true worst case scenario for the 29-year-old down in Florida.

Take the Magic's recent Emirates NBA Cup victory over the Brooklyn Nets for example, quite likely the worst team in the league. Despite superstar Paolo Banchero missing with a groin injury, Jones could only manage 13 minutes. In that time he finished with more rebounds than points, as he was scoreless and had one board. Oh, and there were two assists in there as well.

Splitting the difference between when he was an elite backup with the Memphis Grizzlies, and a starter in both Washington and Phoenix, and Jones has averaged about 25 minutes a night throughout his career. Right now he's lucky if he sees 12, and his 3-point shooting has completely vanished.

Last season in The Valley he scored over 41 percent on five attempts each night. Despite the Magic needing offensive juice from anywhere they can get it on the roster, Jones is taking less than two shots from deep and converting on... 11.8 percent of those. That wouldn't be a problem if his assist numbers were around the 5.3 of last season, down from the 7.3 when with the Wizards.

But no, Jones is dishing out 1.4 assists each night, and alongside those aforementioned minutes they are both career lows. Some will cling to the fact that Jones is a veteran and a guy that their head coach Jamahl Mosley can use in spot minutes, which is a fine argument. But he was added to be an elite playmaker for a roster that needs it, and so far he has failed spectacularly.