On Saturday, the Miami Heat community reacted to guard Tyus Jones signing the Phoenix Suns on a one-year contract worth $3.3 million.
Tyus Jones — the market’s top remaining free agent guard — has agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Bradbury of @LiftSportsMNGMT tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lhhJkKowQz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 27, 2024
The Heat apparently could not have offered Jones the $3.3 million contract he received from the Suns while being under the second apron. Miami apparently looked into Jones before getting Terry Rozier last season.
While Tyus Jones ultimately took 3.3 M with Suns, Heat couldn't do that and stay under 2nd apron. They could have not signed Love or Bryant and hoped that a player like Jones would have to take well under market later, but they valued Love and Bryant. Heat inquired about Jones…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 27, 2024
Even with the second apron in play, Saturday’s announcement left plenty of opportunity for discontent.
Yeah Pat Riley please fucking retire https://t.co/chJxh9ewI7
— Austin (@ChefTrillie) July 27, 2024
Tyus Jones went for the minimum but at least we got a 4th string center
— Austin (@ChefTrillie) July 27, 2024
No one could’ve predicted Tyus Jones signing for the minimum I agree. MY thing is rushing to re-sign a 4th string center early in free agency and locking in your roster without seeing how the rest of the market develops
That’s bad GMing
— Austin (@ChefTrillie) July 27, 2024
While Tyus Jones ultimately took 3.3 M with Suns, Heat couldn't do that and stay under 2nd apron. They could have not signed Love or Bryant and hoped that a player like Jones would have to take well under market later, but they valued Love and Bryant. Heat inquired about Jones…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 27, 2024
While Tyus Jones ultimately took 3.3 M with Suns, Heat couldn't do that and stay under 2nd apron. They could have not signed Love or Bryant and hoped that a player like Jones would have to take well under market later, but they valued Love and Bryant. Heat inquired about Jones…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 27, 2024
It will always remain a mystery, like crop circles, whether Heat promised Bryant if they would re-sign him if he opted out and found no greener pastures. Bryant swears they didn't. https://t.co/KMQDRmZvDh
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 27, 2024
Jones may have a sneaky case for one of the NBA’s best playmakers today. Despite spending the majority of his professional career as a backup point guard, he has a lifetime assist average of 4.3 per game and thrived as a starter for the Washington Wizards during the 2023-24 regular season.
He played 66 games for the Wizards (all starts) and averaged a career-high 7.3 assists per game. Jones had the ninth-highest assists per game of any NBA player last season.
Another factor that contributes to Jones’ status as a great playmaker in today’s NBA is his emphasis on possession and ball security. Jones averaged just one turnover per game with the Wizards, despite being the team’s primary facilitator.
Jones’ assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.3 was also the league’s best throughout the 2023-24 regular season by a significant margin. For context, Sam Merrill had the second-best ratio at 6.2, although he averaged only 1.8 assists per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is mostly a sharpshooter.
Jones will now have the opportunity to play alongside three of the NBA’s top offensive players next season. Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant all averaged more than 18 points per game for the Suns in 2023-24. Booker and Durant tied for the team’s greatest scoring average, putting up 27.1 points per game.
Given Jones’ ability to set up his teammates for baskets, it’s easy to see why many Heat fans wanted him to join the team.
