After signing a one-year, minimum deal with the Phoenix Suns, Tyus Jones does expect to start, telling ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that “… Coach [Mike Budenholzer] showed me how I can significantly impact a team that has a real opportunity to challenge for an NBA title as their starting point guard.”
In starting Jones, “the expectation would be that Grayson Allen moves to the bench,” per Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
These decisions would lead to the Suns starting Jones alongside their Big 3 and Jusuf Nurkic. Behind Jones, Monte Morris leads a second unit that would include at least Allen and Royce O’Neale. Meanwhile, veterans Josh Okogie and Mason Plumlee could be the leaders in the clubhouse to backup Booker and Nurkic, respectively.
Suns Make Decision On Next Season’s Starting Lineup
Jones has the highest assist-to-turnover ratio in NBA history.
However, he’s not just a shrewd decision-maker, converting 39 percent of his 3-pointers the last three seasons. Because of his perimeter skills and low usage as a scorer, he’s an ideal option for them offensively. There is question about his ability to consistently impact the other end, as he’s a so-so defender at 6-foot-1.
Nonetheless, his defensive concerns aren’t as pronounced as Morris.
Morris averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 assists, and 0.7 steals in 14.4 minutes per game last season. Him seeing limited time after becoming a key cog for the Denver Nuggets’ offense for three seasons is somewhat surprising. In 2022-23, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 assists for the Washington Wizards. He also shot a sparkling 48.0 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3.
Yet, Morris began last season off with an injury, not playing for the Detroit Pistons until Jan. 4. Then, traded after just six games with the Pistons, he made 42.4 percent of his 3s. However, he was all but cut from the playoff rotation, playing just 7.4 minutes per game.
Here, the Timberwolves’ focus on applying intense perimeter defense likely played a big part in his absence.
With that being said, the Suns may take cues from Minnesota. If Budenholzer shortens the rotations during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the 29-year-old may not play regularly. Up until then though, his own savvy playmaking will come in handy. Whether playing with the team’s stars or reserves, he’s going to get to his spots and take care of the ball.
Grayson Allen
As previously mentioned, Allen will move to bench after starting 74 of 75 games in 2022-23.
In what was perhaps his best season, he averaged career-highs of 13.5 points and 3.0 assists per game, was their most reliable off-ball threat. A career 41.2 percent shooter, the Duke product was on a heater, making 46.1 percent of his 3s. With that said, he’ll still going to make a large impact for the Suns next season. They’ll need him to.
However, with Budenholzer preferring to play traditional point guards, Allen’s demotion —so to speak —is by necessity. Eventually, there may be a point in which Bradley Beal decides to take a sixth man role because he’s used to being an offensive focal point. Though Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are excellent off-ball shooters, they’re also volume scorers who want the ball in their hands.
