While Tyus Jones surely expected to sign for more than the veteran’s minimum when he first reached free agency on July 1, he’s thrilled about his new opportunity in Phoenix despite settling for a one-year, $3MM deal. As Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic writes, Jones raved during his introductory media session this week about what he views as an ideal fit with the Suns.
“I’m excited. I’m ready for the opportunity, ready to seize it, but for me, again, going back to the fit. I felt like the fit was perfect,” Jones said. “I’m ready for the season to be here already. I know we got some time, but I just want to hoop. I want to get out there with the guys, build our camaraderie, build our chemistry and ultimately compete for a championship. That’s our end goal.”
Jones told reporters that the Suns did a “great job” recruiting him and that the strength of the roster helped convince him to sign in Phoenix. He’s looking forward to serving as a facilitator within a high-powered offense led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
“Just trying to make their job easy,” Jones said of his role. “Last year, I know Book, Brad had to do a lot of playing the one, kind of facilitating, orchestrating the offense. The fact that they can do that, but what they really do is put the ball in the basket and so I know it’s going to be up to me to put them in the right spots. Put KD in the right spots, put Book in the right spots, put Brad in the right spot, everybody.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- It’s unclear if Durant will receive the one-year, $59.7MM extension he’s eligible for before the regular season begins, but Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein tells Rankin that the relationship between the star forward and the organization is in a great place. “The most important thing is Kevin loves being here and we love having Kevin here,” Bartelstein said. “… I talk to (Durant’s manager) Rich Kleiman, who works with Kevin, all the time. Conversations are great not just on extension stuff, but on all things that have been going on.”
- Appearing on The Dinner Table podcast, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski made it clear he’s not bothered by the fact that his name has popped up in trade rumors this summer. In fact, he thinks it’s “fun” to see the discourse on whether or not he should be included in an offer for Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, as Will Simonds of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. “No one likes to admit it, but everybody sees … the good and the bad,” Podziemski said. “For me, I think the bad can just be used as motivation. Obviously, my name has been in the Markkanen trade a lot, so if the trade doesn’t go through and I’m still here, to have a good second year and be like, ‘Good thing we didn’t trade him,’ would be cool for me.”
- The Lakers are counting on third-year guard Max Christie to become a more significant part of their rotation as he begins a new four-year, $32MM contract, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. In particular, Christie expects to match up on defense with opponents’ top wing or backcourt scorers and has been working this offseason on building up his stamina in preparation for those assignments. “When you’re guarding the best player, all the actions are being run for him,” Christie said. “You’re running through screens, so that’s tiring. It’s hard. And then, especially if you’re chasing shooters … it’s fatiguing. … I want to keep growing my game, obviously defensively, looking ahead to next season.”
These trade site make it sounds like Podz for Lauri is what the Jazz wants but they want Podz, Moody, and Davis plus 5 draft picks.
My official take here is: if Podz doesn’t get traded, and then starts actually playing defense like CP3 in his prime, and scoring like Kawhi Leonard in his prime – like all his defenders keep acting like he will do soon – I will happily stop criticizing his currently massively overrated game. I just see a path to his career fizzling out by 27 than I do him being an all-star.
Kuminga and Moody I can see becoming all-stars. Despite having every opportunity and massive amounts of MPG (even getting more mins than Curry sometimes) to score 30+ and not doing it, and only having a mere 4 games of 20+ points, Podz was 100% not “Him” as a scorer in his first year. Podz cut into Moody’s minutes, but even with Podz stealing his playing time, Moody still had 3 games with 20+ points last season, and even had a 30 point game earlier in his career. If you are playing “shooting” guard, you should be able to shoot. Podz can’t. Moody can.
Simply put: Moody and Curry > Podz and Curry.
It’s nice that Christie sees the assignment clearly ( he’s. Not wrong ) but also scary in a sense too that he’s so close to the top of the pecking order to actually being the one assigned to it
Vandos health is so imperative, Rui and Dalton can’t guard 3s. Thin Margins in La but ones that can be accomplished with + health at their backs. I’ve always wanted to take a swing at Thybull, maybe he can. Be had at the deadline
As an Aussie, I’m rooting for Thybulle to make the leap. unfortunately his shooting just hasn’t improved as fast as it needs to, which would make him a poor fit in LA. anyone that that the defence doesn’t have to guard just makes LeBron’s life harder
We saw some shades last year with his shooting. I think they have enough shooting with Dlo Lebron and Rui all over 40% and AR a good shooter as well rostered
Always thought a Kuzma fior thybull swap when on Philly would have benefited both teams couple years ago