PG | 6-2, 195 lbs
2015-16 season: 37 games, 0 starts, 15.5 MPG, 4.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 35.9 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 71.8 FT%
Minnesota basketball fans were ecstatic when the Wolves pulled off a draft-day trade to acquire Tyus Jones. Most of them were aware of what Jones was capable of doing on the court after he starred for Apple Valley in high school, becoming one of the best players in the nation.
And if that wasn’t enough, “Tyus Stones” took down the Wisconsin Badgers in the national championship as a member of the Duke Blue Devils. The question was whether or not Jones, an undersized point guard, could make the transition to the NBA.
Jones didn’t have the rookie season Karl-Anthony Towns did and he wasn’t expected to. His rookie season went about how it should have gone for a No. 24 pick who is 19 years old.
His path to playing time was blocked by Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine (who spent time at point guard to start the season) and veteran Andre Miller. This made a D-League stint an obvious choice and in six games, Jones didn’t disappoint for the Idaho Stampede. He averaged 24.7 points, five assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from the 3-point line.
Jones didn’t sulk when getting sent down. He did what got him here – acted like total professional.
“It’s an opportunity to get better and to improve and to get my game legs back,” Jones said after being sent to the D-League. “It’s definitely not a demotion to come down here for a few games just to get some run in.”
Jones received his opportunity late in the season, playing in 22 games over the final two months of the season after appearing in just 15 in the first four months. In April, Jones played 19 minutes per game and averaged 4.1 assists per game.
More than anything, the season was probably a development year for Jones and a chance for him to see how he measures up to the competition and how he can improve going into his second NBA season.
Top Three Games Of The Season
3.) March 8 vs. San Antonio Spurs
In this 116-91 home loss to the Spurs, Jones played nearly 27 minutes off the bench and finished with 10 points (tied season high) and six assists. He shot an efficient 4-for-7 from the field and 2-for-4 from the 3-point line. He was the only player on the team with a positive +/-.
2.) March 16 at Memphis Grizzlies
Jones tied his season-high once again with 10 points in just 19 minutes off the bench in this 114-108 road win. He also added five assists, a steal and somehow, two blocks. He shot 3-for-4 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line.
1.) April 13 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The former Duke star’s best game came in the final game of the season. In this 144-109 blowout, Jones finished with nine points off the bench to go with a career-high 12 assists. He also added one rebound and a steal in 26 minutes. Jones shot 3-for-5 from the field and 1-for-2 from the 3-point line.
Top Offseason Objectives
Jones is smart enough to play in the NBA. His basketball IQ is off the charts. We know this.
He knows where to be on both ends of the court and knows where his teammates should be.
The problem with Jones is that he’s undersized at 6’2, 195 pounds. He’s going to grow into his body, but lifting will obviously be a big part of his offseason regimen.
Jones also isn’t the fastest guard around. He wasn’t in college either, but the NBA is obviously a different level. He saw that last season and made in-game adjustments to make things work for him. But other times, we saw guard blow by him.
He’s been able to use his smarts and competitiveness to level out his somewhat lack of athleticism, which is much more of a testament to how hard Jones is as a worker than an insult.
Role for 2016-17?
This obviously depends on what the team decides to do in free agency. Rubio is slotted as the team’s starting point guard. He played 31 minutes per game last season. That leaves about 17 minutes for a backup point guard. Jones’s goal should be to hit about 15 minutes per game and be a player who new coach Tom Thibodeau finds reliable on offense, and more importantly defense.
Most teams do have three point guards on the roster. Jones will more than likely be in competition for the backup spot.
They Said It…
“He was a player that I’ve known for a long time. I know what he can do. I know what he can’t do, and I thought he would be a guy that would fit in to what we’re trying to do in a lot of aspects. I love his passing, I love his leadership and I don’t look at the things he can’t do, I look at the things he can do.” – The late Flip Saunders on Jones after trading for him on draft night.