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Tyus Jones brings the perfect skillset to boost the Phoenix Suns' offense

Tyus Jones brings more to the Phoenix Suns than just the ability to control the offense, protect the ball and make open shots.

“He’s super smart and extremely competitive,” Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He’s a culture person and when you add that to your team, maybe that’s just as important as the skills.”

Phoenix desperately needed a true point guard after finishing 25thTh in the turnovers last season without one. The Suns were the NBA's worst team in the fourth quarter, even though Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were on the court to close out the games.

They entered the offseason because of the second tax apron, which limited their roster flexibility, but were somehow able to acquire a proven point guard in Jones on a veteran minimum contract.

Prayer really has to work.

“That was a gap from last season that we have now filled,” said Booker. “He’s just a competitor. He does everything to win. He’s the guy you want to be on the pitch with.”

Now the Suns are moving forward with a player who addresses two of their biggest problems from last season and is looking to prove he is one of the best point guards in the league.

“That's why they brought me here, to just be Tyus and play my game, be the leader that I am, but also have the guys allow me to do that,” Jones said. “This is huge for me. I was given the keys and the confidence to go out and play my game. Communicate whatever I see or feel out there and I look forward to it.”

Phoenix opens the 2024-25 season at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday with a floor general who could very well be the X-factor for this team.

“We just added another player who can make the right plays, make the right shots and make the right decisions,” Suns general manager James Jones said. “And make us more efficient offensively, which for us is our competitive advantage because we have three of the best offensive players in the game in Devin, Brad and KD.”

Tyus Jones had been primarily a backup player in his first eight NBA seasons before starting all 66 games he played in Washington last season. In his career year with the Wizards, he averaged 12 points on 48.9% shooting and led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio with an NBA record 7.35 for the sixth straight season.

His ability to find people with pinpoint accuracy puts Booker, Durant and especially Beal in their natural scoring positions. Booker began last season as the primary ballplayer, Durant did his part in playmaking, and Beal took over the task of initiating the offense late in the season.

This contributed significantly to Durant, Booker and Beal being 1-2-3 as a team in turnovers per game. Durant averaged 3.3, while Booker and Beal allowed 2.6 and 2.5 per night, respectively.

In coach Mike Budenholzer's offense, they will still get off the dribble, but with Jones running the offense, the need to do so all too often is eliminated.

“Every pass is about money,” Beal said. “He doesn’t make any bad passes. He doesn't turn the ball over. I had to work on it a hell of a lot and go to his lab, but his IQ is huge for the game and it just makes our jobs easier as scorers.”

If Jones doubles his season average from a year ago, the Suns will be an improved team.

If he looks to take full advantage of scoring opportunities and assert himself defensively, the Suns will become a real threat in the West.

With the way the teams defend Booker and Durant, Jones will have room to go from 3 to 3. Last season he hit 41.4% of his 3s, the highest of his career, but only hit 3.9 per game.

Phoenix wants to achieve more than 40 three-pointers per game under Budenholzer. Jones may need to contribute more to Phoenix's 3-point agenda by attempting more than four per game.

“I’m trying to find my place in the offense,” Jones said. “To understand the system better and better every day and every game.”

Jones often uses the word “chemistry” when talking about the team and his role. That's how a true point guard thinks, because he knows everyone has to be on the same page, especially in a new system, but finding his shot is also part of the game plan.

“There’s a lot of stuff thrown at everyone, including him,” Budenholzer said. “I think he's doing great. He's really smart, he handles everything great and I think he takes care of his teammates first. I think overall he’s handled that journey really well.”

James Jones says the Suns' three-guard lineup will make them “dynamic” on offense, but they'll be smaller on defense as Tyus Jones is 6-0, Beal is 6-3 and Booker is 6-5 .

Opposing teams will likely target Jones due to his lack of size.

No worries. Jones is up for the challenge because he has faced it throughout his career.

“Just competing and understanding our system and defensive philosophy,” Jones said. “And then just being extremely active, whether it be through deflections, steals, fights or high hands. There is nothing easy on defense. Just make sure you compete. You have to be fierce and tough, things like that.”

Jones came to Phoenix to compete for a championship and show that he deserves a big contract as early as next season.

He can't wait to get the regular season started.

“I’m extremely excited,” Jones said. “Pre-season is part of the journey and I think we have had a good pre-season and now that the games are really starting the fun is really starting for us. Ready to get this thing started.”

(This story has been updated to change or add a video.)

Do you have any opinions on the current state of the suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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