Minnesota Timberwolves: Tyus Jones must be re-signed this summer

Tyus Jones has been a solid backup guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves the last three years, and with his contract up this summer, the Wolves need to do what they can to re-sign him.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones controls a basketball court with the maturity one would expect from a veteran backup point guard, but in reality he’s a still-young 22-year-old on his rookie contract.

That all changes this summer, however, when Jones hits restricted free agency in what could be his first look at the open market.

We’ve already heard rumors teams such as the Phoenix Suns have shown interest in Jones, yet the Timberwolves have thus far chosen to hang onto him.

Jones’ qualifying offer will be just north of $3.5 million. He will be a restricted free agent this offseason, allowing the Wolves’ to choose to match any deal Jones might find on the market.

However, with a few other guards entering free agency this offseason, Jones may find his market somewhat limited. It’s worth noting Tom Thibodeau offered Jeff Teague a three-year, $57 million contract to be the Wolves starter, which concludes with a $17 million player option next year that one would expect Teague to accept, given his age and the current salary climate.

Jones, on the other hand, would likely not commission a sum that high but could remain on the Wolves’ roster and grow into a starting guard once Teague eventually departs, whether this summer or following the 2019-20 campaign.

There’s also the Derrick Rose situation. Rose, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, was drawn to Minnesota because of Thibodeau, and with Thibs’ departure there’s no guarantee Rose will stay around.

If he does choose to stay around, it would likely be for more than the veteran’s minimum salary that he’s currently on. After all, before last season, Rose hadn’t had a salary under $16 million since 2011. His play this season will likely lead to a few offers that Rose simply didn’t have last summer, and the Wolves may have to cough up a bit of money if they want to keep the fan-favorite around.

That said, Jones and Rose could still co-exist on the same roster, as they have with some success this year. Teague will clear the books after next season, opening up a starting spot and leaving the sixth-man role for one of the two guards.

Of course, if Teague thinks he can get more on the open market and opts out of his $17 million deal for next season, then the Wolves need to strongly consider bring back both Jones and Rose, with preferably a long-term contract to Tyus and a shorter deal for Rose, given his age and injury history. Jones could start and Rose could be the sixth-man and play some minutes at either the point or off the ball, both of which he’s done with the Wolves so far.

Either way, there’s one thing I’m sure about: if the Timberwolves don’t re-sign Jones this offseason, they’ll end up regretting it.