EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

ESPN’s Lowe: Suns have asked T-Wolves about PG Tyus Jones

Sep 21, 2018, 10:48 AM | Updated: 10:49 am

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, ...

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones (1) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Denver. The Nuggets won 100-96. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

As the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly rebuff trade interest in star wing Jimmy Butler, the Phoenix Suns might have their sights set on another of coach and president of basketball ops Tom Thibodeau’s players.

According to sources of ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Suns have asked the T-Wolves about backup point guard Tyus Jones, a two-way contributor who reportedly considered asking for a trade last year.

Phoenix, of course, currently has four point guards on the roster. G League-raised Shaq Harrison and Isaiah Canaan, plus rookies Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton give the Suns untested options, a reason the team has also inquired about landing established NBA point guards such as Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph and Spencer Dinwiddie. Jones arguably fits in the same category as those three veterans.

A potential trade will matter upon whether Minnesota agrees with that assessment.

The 22-year-old enters his fourth season in the NBA behind T-Wolves starter Jeff Teague and re-signed former MVP Derrick Rose, a Thibodeau favorite. Rose, however, could play more shooting guard with the departure of Jamal Crawford, opening a bigger role for Jones.

When Minnesota was healthy last season, extensive playing time was hard to come by for Jones.

But when Jones did play last year — he averaged 17.9 minutes per game and appeared in all 82 outings — he was one of the T-Wolves’ best players. His on-court/off-court rating differential came in fourth of the team’s regulars, behind Karl-Anthony Towns, Butler and Taj Gibson.

Jones’ impact is less apparent in the box score, where he averaged just 5.1 points, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The 6-foot-2, 184-pound product from Duke, however, was widely efficient as an offensive player and a savvy defender despite his average athleticism.

His usage rate of 12.7 indicates he would be a true offensive initiator. His true shooting percentage of 57.2 — it accounts for free throws and three-pointers — was partly due to his 88 percent shooting from the foul stripe, 68 percent shooting at the rim and 46 percent shooting between 16 feet out and the three-point line.

One could wonder if his mid-range game might regress and if his 35 percent three-point shooting might improve, but point is he flashed enough over a full season to be a competent offensive threat who would rather keep the offense moving than hunt down his own attempts.

Consider his youth, and getting a look at him for a full season before he becomes a restricted free agent could turn into a coup for the Suns, especially if they can convince Thibodeau to give him up at a reasonable cost.

Empire of the Suns

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Tre Mann #23 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quart...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns do enough through slog to beat Charlotte Hornets

The Phoenix Suns had an uninspiring three quarters and did enough in the other to get a win over the Charlotte Hornets.

3 days ago

Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics defends Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns  during the seco...

Kellan Olson

Suns unable to reach Boston Celtics’ heights again in road loss

The Phoenix Suns more or less matched the Boston Celtics before the game slipped away in the second half.

4 days ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to poor start, hit usual 4th-quarter slog in win vs. depleted Cavs

Monday was a tremendous opportunity for the Phoenix Suns, one they took advantage of to get a win but not without some trouble.

7 days ago

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns’ hand forced by Boston Celtics in home loss

The Suns were outclassed by the Celtics that in the grand scheme of things didn't have a ton to do with a talent disparity between the two.

9 days ago

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics react after a win o...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns face pair of top tests vs. ‘elite of the elite’ Boston Celtics

The Phoenix Suns will be put to the test in a pair of games against the Boston Celtics, the best team in the NBA.

10 days ago

ESPN’s Lowe: Suns have asked T-Wolves about PG Tyus Jones