The Wizards used their No. 10 overall pick on Thursday night to land one of the top guards in this year’s draft, selecting Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis. However, the Wizards remain in the market for veteran help at the point guard spot, and Grizzlies free agent Tyus Jones is among the players on their radar, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
As Scotto explains, Washington should have the flexibility to use the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception and could make a compelling bid for Jones. The club could potentially give him the opportunity to start, which Jones “ideally desires,” writes Scotto.
The Grizzlies hold Jones’ Bird rights, giving them the ability to make a strong offer to retain Jones. Memphis’ decision to trade De’Anthony Melton to Philadelphia perhaps signaled that re-signing Jones will be an offseason priority, though the team did draft a potential backup point guard in Kennedy Chandler on Thursday night.
Here’s more from Scotto:
- Rival NBA executives believe the Knicks are “all-in” for Jalen Brunson after making efforts to open up cap space on Thursday. Taj Gibson and his $5MM+ non-guaranteed salary will likely be waived to create more cap flexibility, says Scotto.
- The Knicks will have to open up more cap room to make a serious bid for Brunson, and Scotto reiterates that Cam Reddish and Alec Burks are possible trade candidates. Reddish was part of one of the offers New York sent to the Pistons for Jaden Ivey, according to Scotto, who says Burks has been offered to the Cavaliers and Pacers, among other teams.
- In considering potential landing spots for Suns RFA center Deandre Ayton, Scotto writes that people around the NBA have speculated about a possible sign-and-trade deal involving Pacers center Myles Turner — both players are represented by the same agent, Bill Duffy. Previous reports have indicated the Pacers spoke to the Suns prior to the trade deadline about Ayton.
- The Trail Blazers have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Ayton, but they remain intent on re-signing incumbent center Jusuf Nurkic, league sources tell Scotto.
- Although EuroLeague star Vasilije Micic is interested in coming to the NBA for the 2022/23 season, he wants to join a playoff contender and is interested in a salary worth close to the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, says Scotto. The Thunder may have to trade Micic’s draft rights for those goals to come to fruition.
I can’t imagine anyone outbidding Memphis for Tyus now that Melton is gone. But if DC loses Beal they should def make a strong offer for him. I’m guessing it would take more than the MLE tho
Micic considers his resume to be the caliber of Teodosic, who scored a similar offer from the Clippers in 2017 relative to the salary cap (2/12M). The teams he’s interested in are either taxpayers or have other needs to address with the MLE.
Micic is much better than Teodosic when he came over. YOU consider their resumes similar, nobody else tho
Teodosic came over 5 years too late. He was a helluva young player with Olypiocos… crossed the water a little too late.
Nuggets seem like a strong fit for Micic, although it remains to be seen if OKC would be willing to trade his rights within the division
These offers that the Knicks are making look like offers a “2ker”, as some like to categorize it, would make.
“Here, take the guy that has little actualized value – that our coach said was not earning his way onto the floor….so we can move up to get a potentially dynamic player…. please tho; thanks”
Leon & Co. looking like the “2kers” more and more. Dunno what to say about those who choose to blindly support whatever the FO does.
Do you mean 2Kers cuz 2kers looks like nit should read “toowkers”
Heard that Troy literally laughed said no thank you and pretty much hung up.