Grizzlies reserve guard Tyus Jones might be a consolation prize for the Knicks if New York strikes out on Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson in free agency this summer, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Jones has a history with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, as he was the backup point guard during Thibodeau’s three seasons with the Timberwolves. Berman notes that league sources project Jones to net a deal in the range of the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception, worth $10.2MM this season.
“I love him,’’ one NBA coach said to Berman. “He has to be one of the best backup point guards in the league, if not the best.’’
The 25-year-old out of Duke set a league record for the best assist-to-turnover ratio ever this year of 7.4-to-1 across 73 regular season games. During 21.2 MPG this season, Jones averaged 8.7 PPG on .451/.390/.818 shooting splits, plus 4.4 APG. Though he is not a consistent interior scorer, Jones has proven himself to be a good shooter and effective ball handler.
Jones and the Grizzlies are currently locked into a hotly contested second-round matchup with the Warriors. Golden State leads 2-1.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers center Joel Embiid may be able to will his club to a series victory against Miami thanks in large part to his terrific defensive effort, writes Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Heat made just 35.1% of their field goals in a blowout 99-79 Game 3 Sixers victory Friday. In his first healthy game of the series, Embiid rendered center Bam Adebayo largely ineffective — Adebayo went just 2-of-9 from the floor and was a game-worst minus-22. “What I pride myself on is, really, defensively,” Embiid said. “That’s really one of the reasons why, (by) playing, I thought I could have a huge impact.” David Murphy of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Embiid’s return has reinvigorated the Sixers on both ends of the floor, and gives them a real shot to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Though Embiid proved the driving force behind the Sixers‘ Game 3 win against the Heat, the team is aware it still needs to focus on the road ahead in its second-round series, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Embiid scored 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor and pulled down 11 rebounds. “We’re down 2-1, so we got a long way to go,” Embiid said. “We can’t go down 3-1. So we really need this game on Sunday.”
- In case you missed it, the Celtics are frustrated with the way referees called a late foul during an eventual 103-101 Game 3 loss to the Bucks on Saturday.
Jones is worth $43.4 million MLE
Grizzlies have all the rookies contracts
Embiid should have been the DPOY instead of Smart, but alas, folks with votes got it wrong, again!
Nah, I love Joel but…nah. He is good and a game changer on D don’t get me wrong. But he is to soft/slow in transition D as a whole. Good man defender, good team defender with an ability to switch in a variety of ways…but his transition d leaves a little to be desired. 2nd team all D is where he is at right now for me. Not a knock, just not willing to give him accolades I don’t think he deserves either. Still, glad he is on my team.
Rudy ain’t any better at transition D… I mean what 7 footer is?
Just my opinion, but Embiid deserves it!
Tyus Jones to NYK actually makes some sense… which means either a) NYK won’t even make an offer, or b) NYK will overpay ala Fournier, because nobody wants to play for a pos franchise like the Knicks.
NYK will have no interest in Brunson at the asking price his agents are putting out there. Jones is a real good backup, but he’s a backup by skill set, not circumstances. So, he won’t be a NYK primary or secondary target.
Not sure what you mean. Jones would boost team positivity and passing, though IDK that the other Knick PGs don’t.
He is small but not apparently a problem on defense.
He’s limited by both size and athleticism. His PG skills are very good across the board, but not elite in any area. How many NBA starters does that describe? Good numbers in a backup role, doesn’t necessarily translate a per minute basis if he starts, on either end of the floor.
I’m NOT saying Jones can’t develop into a quality starter mid-career, but there’s more saying that’s unlikely than there is saying it’s likely. IF I were a team that had a quality starter, then I would have no problem pursuing Jones as a high end backup (with the potential to be more). That’s not the Knicks. We’re loaded with backup PGs, a couple of which might turn into more (but they’re already here, younger and making very little $$). IF he wants to sign for what Quickley and McBride are making, I’d love to have him join the mix (but that’s obviously not what he’ll have in mind).