The Knicks’ plan to discover a level guard via free company doesn’t should be “Jalen Brunson or Bust.”
If Brunson sticks with the Mavericks, after his heady playoff efficiency, which continued with a 28-point outburst in a Sport 3 victory over the Suns on Friday evening, there’s one other true level guard taking part in within the Western Convention second spherical who intrigues the Knicks.
Memphis backup level guard Tyus Jones, who performed three seasons for Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, is weaving a profession 12 months and is on the Knicks’ radar, in accordance with an NBA supply.
The previous Duke playmaker typically goes ignored and unheralded as a result of he’s Ja Morant’s backup. However he has been a glue man throughout Memphis’ rousing season that continues towards the Warriors in Sport 3 on Saturday evening.
League sources stated Jones may command the total non-taxpayer $10.2 million mid-level exception — which the Knicks possess as they don’t have cap area.
“I like him,’’ one NBA coach instructed The Submit. “He must be the most effective backup level guards within the league, if not one of the best.’’
Jones, 25, set an NBA report for finest assists-to-turnover ratio this season (7.4 to 1) in 73 video games — the fourth straight season wherein he has led the league. The central query is whether or not a profession backup could make the soar to starter, and in New York, no much less.
Within the Knicks’ circumstance, although, Jones may occupy a 25-minute beginning function and have Immanuel Quickley or Derrick Rose as a change-of-pace backup.
With Kemba Walker successfully accomplished as a Knick and Rose not a assure due to his well being, the franchise is determined so as to add a authentic flooring basic to the roster. (This 12 months’s draft is taken into account weak at level guard).
Jones additionally is aware of RJ Barrett from the Duke brotherhood. Jones’ youthful brother, Tre, performed with Barrett at Duke in 2018-19.
If Jones isn’t an explosive penetrator, he might not should be, as a result of Barrett and Julius Randle are relentless attackers. That Jones shot 39 p.c from 3-point vary is a boon.
In 21.2 minutes per sport, Jones averaged 4.4 assists and eight.7 factors. He additionally dedicated fewer than one turnover per sport (0.6).
“Jones had one of the best 12 months of his profession,’’ one NBA personnel man stated. “He’s a stable backup — not a starter. He shoots it nicely, however that’s his finest attribute.’’
Jones performed for Thibodeau from 2016-19 with the Timberwolves and was on the roster when the coach obtained canned.
In 2017-18, Jones, a 2015 first-round choose, performed in all 82 video games, so he has proven sturdiness. After a season of the oft-injured Walker and Rose, that will be refreshing for the Knicks.
Some scouts, nonetheless, view Jones as too small and never athletic sufficient to be a full-fledged start line guard. But the Grizzlies, in an oddity, went 20-3 when Jones began for an injured Morant, as a result of he’s generally known as an organizer.
“He isn’t adequate, merely,’’ the personnel man stated of Jones being a full-blown starter. “He struggled to take care of a job as a direct backup [in Memphis] till this season. He fluctuated out and in of [the] Grizzlies’ rotation as backup and third level guard.’’
Thibodeau likes winners and Jones gained an NCAA title at Duke in 2015. (Brunson gained two at Villanova).
“[Tyus] is an sufficient defender,’’ one other NBA scout stated. “He doesn’t get to the road and is simply not fairly dynamic sufficient to be a degree guard on a final-four staff. He can begin on many groups, however not title-contending ones. He shot the ball very nicely this 12 months, however that hasn’t been his sample.’’
Jones is a 35.2 p.c 3-point shooter in 455 regular-season video games — a mark barely higher than his Duke brother Barrett.
With a Brunson signing sophisticated and costly, Jones may very well be the steadier fallback.
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