Tyus Jones
The point guard position is the engine of every NBA team. Without a strong option there, even the strongest of rosters will crumble. Teams know how important this position is, which is why a player such as Jalen Brunson, who is predicted to land a four-year, $110 million contract from the New York Knicks, would be outside the top 10 of the position in annual value.
A team that can’t afford to go to the top of the market for someone like Brunson should be setting their sights on Tyus Jones. Jones has been the backup to Ja Morant for the last two seasons and is ready for an expanded role.
The No. 24 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jones is the quintessential backup point guard. He can run the offense, get his teammates into positions to succeed without turning the ball over and can knock down 3-pointers. However, he is as productive as a starter, as he just knows how to take care of the ball, yet to average one turnover per game in a season in his career.
There are teams in search of starting point guards and offering Jones that role could be enough to sway him to leave Memphis. As long as Morant is there, he will be the starter, so if Jones is ready to spread his wings and take on a starting job, he will have to go elsewhere.
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Memphis was +8.2 per 100 possessions with Jones on the court, which speaks volumes to just how positive of an impact he has when playing. A team that takes a shot on him as their lead guard will not be disappointed.
