It's been over six years since Tyus Jones suited up for the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his time with his hometown team, the No. 24 pick in the 2015 draft didn't live up to the expectations set for him when Minnesota traded up for him on draft night. It wasn't until he left the Timberwolves and joined the Grizzlies that he found his fit and established himself as the best backup point guard in the league, a title that no longer belongs to him.
Jones signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Magic in free agency last July, a move intended to boost their backcourt by adding a facilitator and three-point shooter. Instead, Jones has struggled immensely, averaging 1.7 points and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 28.3% from the field and 19.2% from three in 13.3 minutes per game in 18 contests.
Since he signed over the offseason, Jones will become trade-eligible on Dec. 15, and there is a real possibility that Orlando will shop him before the Feb. 5 deadline.
Former Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones has been a negative for the Magic
Jones played a season-high 25 minutes on Sunday against Boston and finished with a season-high six assists, but he shot 1-of-6 (16.7%) from the field for three points. Orlando lost, 138-129.
The Magic thought they were bringing in an established veteran point guard who would help stabilize the offense. It's not abnormal to get off to a shaky start on a new team, but Jones looks out of place in Orlando. The Magic assembled a roster that they hoped would make a run in a depleted Eastern Conference, one that doesn't look as weak as people thought.
They're 10-8, ninth in the conference, after getting off to a 1-4 start. They've been without star Paolo Banchero for the past six games with a groin injury, and he should return soon. While that will be a boost, Orlando could be active before the deadline, finding ways to improve around the margins. It would do the team good to look for another backup point guard, as it doesn't look like things are going to get any better for Jones, but that could change.
The deadline is still over two months away, but with the unofficial start to trade season around the corner on Dec. 15, expect Jones's name to be in the rumor mill as the Magic look for an upgrade.