The Knicks’ prepare to find a issue guard by means of no cost agency doesn’t have to be “Jalen Brunson or Bust.”
If Brunson sticks with the Mavericks, soon after his heady playoff efficiency, which ongoing with a 28-place outburst in a Match 3 victory over the Suns on Friday night time, there’s yet another true level guard participating in in the Western Conference 2nd spherical who intrigues the Knicks.
Memphis backup level guard Tyus Jones, who performed three seasons for Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, is weaving a profession yr and is on the Knicks’ radar, according to an NBA resource.
The former Duke playmaker often goes forgotten and unheralded since he’s Ja Morant’s backup. But he has been a glue male throughout Memphis’ rousing period that carries on towards the Warriors in Recreation 3 on Saturday evening.
League resources said Jones could command the complete non-taxpayer $10.2 million mid-degree exception — which the Knicks have as they never have cap place.
“I love him,’’ a person NBA mentor explained to The Submit. “He has to be one particular of the very best backup place guards in the league, if not the best.’’
Jones, 25, established an NBA document for most effective helps-to-turnover ratio this year (7.4 to 1) in 73 games — the fourth straight period in which he has led the league. The central issue is irrespective of whether a occupation backup can make the jump to starter, and in New York, no much less.
In the Knicks’ circumstance, even though, Jones could occupy a 25-moment setting up function and have Immanuel Quickley or Derrick Rose as a change-of-speed backup.
With Kemba Walker successfully carried out as a Knick and Rose no for a longer period a promise simply because of his wellbeing, the franchise is desperate to insert a legitimate ground general to the roster. (This year’s draft is deemed weak at stage guard).
Jones also appreciates RJ Barrett from the Duke brotherhood. Jones’ younger brother, Tre, played with Barrett at Duke in 2018-19.
If Jones isn’t an explosive penetrator, he may possibly not need to have to be, for the reason that Barrett and Julius Randle are relentless attackers. That Jones shot 39 percent from 3-stage selection is a boon.
In 21.2 minutes per video game, Jones averaged 4.4 helps and 8.7 factors. He also dedicated less than 1 turnover for every game (.6).
“Jones experienced the greatest year of his vocation,’’ a person NBA personnel person said. “He’s a stable backup — not a starter. He shoots it perfectly, but that’s his greatest attribute.’’
Jones played for Thibodeau from 2016-19 with the Timberwolves and was on the roster when the mentor got canned.
In 2017-18, Jones, a 2015 initial-round decide on, played in all 82 game titles, so he has proven sturdiness. Soon after a year of the oft-injured Walker and Rose, that would be refreshing for the Knicks.
Some scouts, on the other hand, watch Jones as as well little and not athletic ample to be a full-fledged starting up position guard. Still the Grizzlies, in an oddity, went 20-3 when Jones began for an injured Morant, due to the fact he’s known as an organizer.
“He is not great ample, just,’’ the staff male explained of Jones being a comprehensive-blown starter. “He struggled to keep a part as a direct backup [in Memphis] right until this season. He fluctuated in and out of [the] Grizzlies’ rotation as backup and 3rd place guard.’’
Thibodeau likes winners and Jones won an NCAA title at Duke in 2015. (Brunson gained two at Villanova).
“[Tyus] is an enough defender,’’ one more NBA scout mentioned. “He does not get to the line and is just not pretty dynamic enough to be a level guard on a final-four group. He can begin on a lot of groups, but not title-contending ones. He shot the ball really nicely this calendar year, but that has not been his sample.’’
Jones is a 35.2 p.c 3-level shooter in 455 standard-time game titles — a mark somewhat superior than his Duke brother Barrett.
With a Brunson signing intricate and highly-priced, Jones could be the steadier fallback.
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