On Facebook
On Flipboard
NBA insider believes Suns' offseason move for Tyus Jones is underrated
The Phoenix Suns spent last season without a genuine ball-handler on their roster. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal took turns initiating the offense, often leading to disjointed half-court performances. As such, the Suns went into free agency looking for a genuine floor general to help unlock their offensive firepower.
According to The Athletic's John Hollinger , the Suns' addition of Tyus Jones is among the most underrated offseason pick-ups. Hollinger believes Jones is talented enough to make a difference for Mike Budenholzer's team.
“I don’t think the impact of this move is getting enough attention,” Hollinger wrote. “The Suns desperately needed both A) a real point guard and B) another starting-caliber level player, at any position. Jones checked both boxes without costing them any draft picks (not that they had any left to trade) or other assets."
Jones spent last season with the Washington Wizards, where he suited up on 66 occasions, averaging 12 points, 7.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 41.4% from three-point range. According to Cleaning The Glass, Jones assisted 33.2% of his teammates' made-shots on the floor, thus proving his value as a table-setting ball-handler.
With a legitimate point guard on their roster, the Suns will be a far more dangerous offensive unit next season. The trio of Kevin Durant, Booker and Beal will all have opportunities to shine as featured scorers. They will also be tasked with spacing the floor and punishing any double-teams. Jones' passing will ensure those punishments are swift.
"He’s good enough that he could genuinely matter in a congested West race where two or three wins might be the difference between the third seed and the Play-In Tournament," continued Hollinger. "… not to mention a playoff series."
Jones has a reputation for being a consummate professional. He has proven himself to be one of the best role-playing guards in the NBA. If he can help the Suns unlock their offense while providing some reliable perimeter defense, he could be looking at a significant pay rise when he hits the free agent market next summer.
More must-reads:
- Suns waive a pair of young forwards to create roster space
- NBA offseason grades: Pacific division
- The '30 or more points per game' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Is NBA dragging its feet on expansion to spur arena deals?
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has voiced many reasons to delay expansion for the past few years. But the unspoken reason may be a simple one: leverage for new arenas. Two years ago, Silver told TNT that expansion had to wait until the league secured its new TV rights deal, which was finalized last July. But this summer, Silver said that expansion can't happen until the league resolves its issues with regional sports networks and local cable broadcasts. But one big reason that the NBA wants to wait are a number of unresolved arena situations. The New Orleans Pelicans' home arena, the Smoothie King Center, opened in 1999 and the team moved before the 2002-03 season. It's had minimal renovations since then, and the team's lease on the building only runs through 2029. In Minnesota, the Timberwolves play in the Target Center, an arena that opened in 1990, making it the NBA's second-oldest arena behind Madison Square Garden. It's had extensive renovations in 2004 and 2017, and the team's lease runs through 2035. New owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have called building a new arena a "necessity" while the Minnesota Wild are pushing for extensive upgrades to their own arena. The Portland Trail Blazers' Moda Center opened in 1995, and Silver told reporters in July that Portland "needs a new arena." Their situation is unique in that the city owns the Moda Center, and the team has a new owner, Tom Condon. While Seattle and Las Vegas have long been rumored as likely expansion cities, the NBA may think they're more valuable now as relocation threats, specifically for the Pelicans, who have ranked 24th, 27th, 25th and 24th in attendance the last four seasons. They also play in the NBA's second-smallest TV market, behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Not only could the Pelicans move, but owners could pocket a relocation fee. There's nothing to stop the NBA from expanding after the arena uncertainty is resolved and a team moves to Seattle or Vegas, perhaps choosing another location like Vancouver or Mexico City — then sharing massive expansion fees. The NBA is loaded with talent and ripe for expansion. But don't expect it to happen until the NBA tries to extort its existing cities for arena money.
Cowboys' Micah Parsons seen taking bizarre action in preseason finale
Micah Parsons showed up for the Dallas Cowboys' preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons in body only. The star pass-rusher showed no spirit and did not dress amid his hold-in for a contract extension. On Thursday, Parsons scrubbed the Cowboys from his social media feed. During Friday's game, he couldn't be bothered to be with his teammates on the sideline watching the whole game. Per a photo posted on X by The Athletic's Jon Machota, Parsons was seen lying down on a trainer's table during the contest. Parsons' actions come amid a turbulent week between his representation and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In separate interviews, Jones told both Michael Irvin and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he did not plan to back down from his agreement with Parsons to work with agent David Mulugheta. During the pregame show on Friday, Jones boasted to 105.3 The Fan that defensive end is where the Cowboys have the most depth on the roster. "Frankly, our defensive ends may be the best depth, where we have the most talent of any position on the field," Jones said via Machota. "I'm excited about our depth and our numbers at pass rusher. ... I'm concerned because of having space on the roster to keep that many of our guys that have pass rushing ability." Following Friday night's game, the Cowboys' preseason is over. The situation between Jones and Parsons is not ideal for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who is tasked with trimming the roster to 53 players by Tuesday. If Parsons is traded or chooses not to play in Week 1, Schottenheimer is going to have to decide to take away depth from what Jones sees as a weaker part of the team to boost a unit that is without their best player because he won't negotiate with Mulugheta.
Dallas Stars lock up one of the league's best players with massive extension today in hockey history
GAG VS SAB! Who Will Break the Internet? Jandel? SpyderSammy? OR Mr. Beast!
It is a tale as old as time. Who will win? Will it be Godzilla or King Kong? Psych! These wars are no longer about size and strength, but millions of players trying to show support for their game… and in turn, they break the internet! GAG VS SAB – Numbers Don’t Lie Back in June, Grow A Garden (GAG) broke Fortnite’s previous record of concurrent players in a single game by over 6 MILLION! I mean… how hard can it be to get 21 million gamers to play at the same time and on a game that focuses on GARDENING! However, the numbers don’t; we all want to get that Candy Blossom and use our Grandmaster Sprinkler to watch it grow. Steal A Brainrot (SAB) has not even come close to GAG, and they want to challenge them? SAB is on par with Fortnite, with around a mere 15 million concurrent players in a single game. Why Do We Care? I mean, this is just a virtual battle, right? Wrong?! This is an opportunity to set records AND help others in the process. Jandel has said that he will donate $5,ooo to #TeamWater (Mr. Beast’s charity for clean water to those in need) for every one million players GAG gets more than SAB. Not only that, but @SpyderSammy will match Jandel’s donation no matter who wins! You could be a part of breaking over 21 million concurrent players in a single game, AND help people who do not have access to clean water, OR live in an area facing water scarcity. Where Does Your Loyalty Lie? How could a garden beat brainrot? Well, well, well… I am glad you asked. Join Roblox on August 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST to watch the epic battle between GAG and SAB, and welcome in a new era. Stand with your team to see who will win! Lastly, will Mr. Beast show up to Jandel’s challenge for #TeamWater? Will the Green Beans win, or will the Brainrot Gods stand on business? Who do you think will win? GAG or SAB?
What five-star pledge means for South Carolina's 2026 class
South Carolina has its first five-star commitment in its 2026 recruiting class. Darius Gray, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the rising high school senior class according to 247Sports, has verbally pledged to the Gamecocks out of the Southeastern Conference, a massive recruiting win for head coach Shane Beamer and his program. Gray, an elite top-20 national prospect from Virginia, picked South Carolina over other finalists Clemson, Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee. Gray's recruitment ultimately was between the Gamecocks and LSU. "It came down to the final days this week," Gray said Rivals. "It was a very tough decision between LSU and South Carolina. LSU led this past year, and South Carolina led before that. It has been a battle between those two for a while. A lot of prayer went into it. It was my decision, but talking with family helped a lot too." The difference maker for South Carolina prevailing for the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Gray was Beamer, 247Sports reported. "When you look at how he handled Darius's recruitment, the personal touch and approach he took, especially when dealing with his mother, that was a huge factor that swung things in favor of the Gamecocks," a source told 247Sports. South Carolina's 2026 class is up to 15 verbal pledges and includes eight prospects who are rated four stars, per the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking. Gray, though, is the team's first five-star commit. With Gray on board, the Gamecocks' 2026 cycle has moved to No. 16 nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. Over at the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, South Carolina's 2026 class is No. 19 overall. Gray's highest 2026 ranking is from 247Sports, which has him at No. 16 nationwide, No. 1 at interior offensive lineman and No. 1 in Virginia. Both the 247Sports Composite and the Rivals Industry Ranking place Gray in the top 35 overall. He is a standout rising senior at the St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va. In the 2024 campaign, as a junior, Gray tallied 50 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, according to 247Sports. Earlier this month, MaxPreps unveiled its 2025 preseason All-America teams in high school football. Gray was named to the MaxPreps All-America second team on offense. Gray will join a South Carolina program that went 9-4 last year and was No. 19 in the final Associated Press top-25 poll. The Gamecocks are No. 13 in the preseason AP top 25 ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
