It's safe to say Tyus Jones is intrigued about the prospect of continuing his career with the Memphis Grizzlies. Unfortunately for the four-year veteran, the status of his playing future is currently out of his hands.
Jones signed a three-year, $24 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies as a restricted free agent, one that could reach $28 million if certain incentives are reached. The Minnesota Timberwolves, his incumbent team, have three days to match that contract and bring Jones back, a move that would push them dangerously close to luxury-tax territory.
A lack of financial wiggle room isn't the only reason why Minnesota might deem it best to move on from the 2015 first-round pick. As Sean Deveney of Sporting News tells it, Jones is “excited” about transitioning from the Timberwolves to the Grizzlies, with hopes of helping Jaren Jackson, Ja Morant, and company “establish [a] winning culture in Memphis.”
Sources tell me Tyus Jones is "excited" about moving on from Timberwolves to Grizzlies, who envision him playing with Ja Morant, not strictly as a backup. Minn has 3 days to match 3 yr, $29 mil deal that puts them near tax. Jones wants to help establish winning culture in Memphis
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) July 8, 2019
Jones averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last season, all career-highs. His uptick in playing time and usage coincided with a dip in efficiency, though, leading to a true shooting percentage of 49.1, over eight points lower than his solid 2017-18 mark.
Jones, it seems more likely than ever, won't ever develop into the caliber of player who deserves to be a full-time starter. But he's one of the least turnover prone point guards in basketball and has proven a far better defender than his underwhelming physical tools suggest, making him perfectly suited for backup role. If Jones, who grew up in Minnesota, becomes more consistent with his long-range jumper, there's a possibility he gets the chance to start later in his career.
As is, he'll be relegated to reserve status in 2019 at the very least – either behind Morant with the Grizzlies or Jeff Teague with the Timberwolves.
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