The Timberwolves might just have their starting point guard of the future on the roster already — and no, it’s not either of the top two guys on the current depth chart. It’s Tyus Jones.
Tyus Jones should be the starting point guard.
Yes, you read that right! Tyus Jones should be starting for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the near future.
In his two years in the NBA, Jones hasn’t put up outstanding numbers, as he’s only averaging 3.8 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game. Of course, this also comes with Jones not getting the minutes that he truly deserves, as he only averages 13.9 minutes per game.
In 2015-16, his playing time was 15.5 minutes per game and that number dipped to 12.9 this year under Tom Thibodeau.
Of course, Jones’ per-36 minute statistics look much better. The Minnesota native would have averaged 9.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Most importantly, Jones would have shot 41.4 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from the three-point line, and 76.7 from the charity stripe.
Compare Time
Comparing his stats to his competition of Ricky Rubio and Kris Dunn the numbers may shock you.
Using Rubio’s per-36 minutes stats (though he played 32.9 minutes per game), the current starter’s stats were 12.2 points, 9.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 40.2 percent the field and 30.6 percent from deep.
Kris Dunn played 17.1 minutes per game, including seven starts. Using his per-36 numbers, Dunn averaged 7.9 points, five assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
So, using those stats, Jones’ numbers aren’t too much lower than Rubio, who has four years more experience than Tyus. Most importantly, however, are the shooting numbers that Jones brings that Rubio cannot.
Yet, Rubio still has yet to shoot better than his career-best single season mark of 34 percent from deep, which came in his first NBA season. Actually, Rubio’s shooting percent has only dropped since that season; his next-highest came in the 2013-14 season in which he shot 33.1 percent.
Dunn’s shooting numbers this season where even worse than Rubio’s as he shot 37.7 percent from the field and a dreadful 28.8 from deep.
It only makes sense to input Tyus Jones into the lineup as he has only gotten better as he grows; he has improved his shooting from the field and from deep. And you have to assume that Jones is in the gym this off-season improving his game even more.
Put simply, Dunn and Jones are Minnesota’s future. I’m okay with that, but I’m not okay with watching Jones sit on the bench when he brings something that the Timberwolves need to the table: shooting and more shooting. Plus, Jones has game and a great basketball IQ.
Next: The Timberwolves Should Ride With Ricky Rubio
Tyus Jones is young and willing to learn. Wolves fans: can we please get a chance to see him play normal, extended minutes? You never know — he may give us a Most Improved Player-type season.