The Phoenix Suns’ recent acquisition of Tyus Jones, formerly of the Washington Wizards, on a one-year minimum salary deal, is quite interesting, especially since they’ve also signed Monte Morris, another former Wizards guard, to a similar contract. This peculiar coincidence brings a sense of symmetry to the Suns’ roster, as Jones and Morris have statistically similar profiles.
Jones had an outstanding offensive season last year. He recorded career highs in shooting percentages for both two-point and three-point shots, and in assists per 100 team possessions. He also achieved an impressive 7.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. His offensive efficiency was notable, being +13.6 points per 100 possessions better than the league average, and he ranked 19th in total points added, according to the +PTS (plus-points) metric, which evaluates a player’s offensive output compared to league averages with the same number of possessions.
Despite Jones’ efficiency, his overall impact on the Wizards’ offense was moderate. The team shot better when he was on the floor, but their offensive improvement was just +1.7 per 100 possessions. This modest number can be partly attributed to his low usage rate of 17%.
An interesting detail is that Jones’ offensive impact wasn’t diminished by the presence of Jordan Poole. In fact, the team’s offense slightly improved when both were on the floor together. However, Washington’s offense struggled overall last season, particularly when Poole was on the floor without Jones.
On the defensive end, Jones, like his former team, had a poor showing last season. Despite his lack of size, strength, and athleticism (by NBA standards), he was once a competent defender with the Memphis Grizzlies. It is expected that, with the Suns’ championship aspirations and Jones’ quest for a more lucrative contract, he might put forth a better defensive effort similar to his Memphis days. While this wouldn’t make him a standout defender, it would certainly enhance his overall value.
In essence, Phoenix is acquiring a reliable caretaker guard in Jones. He is expected to facilitate the offense effectively, make timely passes, minimize turnovers, and score efficiently when needed, though his defense might hover around a C- or D+ grade. Interestingly, this description could equally apply to Monte Morris, highlighting the statistical similarities between the two players.
The statistical doppelgänger machine, which compares a player’s performance across various categories to historical data, has shown that Jones and Morris have many comparable seasons. This comparison doesn’t consider position or physical attributes like height and weight, but players with similar statistical profiles often play the same position.
Overall, the Suns are getting a skilled and efficient offensive player in Tyus Jones, who will enhance their guard rotation. While his defensive contributions might not be significant, his ability to orchestrate the offense and maintain high efficiency makes him a valuable addition to the team. This signing, along with Monte Morris, ensures that the Suns will have a capable guard on the floor at all times, providing stability and consistency to their backcourt.
