Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer recently unveiled his starting lineup for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA campaign. He also took some time to compliment Tyus Jones‘ game from his time in Washington to now in Phoenix.
Suns Coach Budenholzer Surprises with Starting Lineup Switch
Mike Budenholzer Praises Newcomer Tyus Jones
During a one-on-one with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer revealed his starting five group. Surprisingly, his decision included their off-season free agent signing, Tyus Jones.
Jones will slide into Grayson Allen‘s spot accompanied by last season’s remaining starters, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, and Bradley Beal. Budenholzer stated that Jones will be the team’s starting point guard to begin the season. When asked about Jones, Budenholzer pointed to a few aspects of his game that led him to insert the nine-year veteran into the five-man fold.
“Tyus can help us play faster… he’s great with the kick-aheads, he’s great with getting teammates involved in transition,” Budenholzer said. “But then also in the half court. He’s a guy who has always been a high assists guy, low turnovers. He can get us organized. Everyone talks about how much talent we have. Hopefully he can put them in positions to be their best.”
Budenholzer confidently praised Jones’s fit with Durant, Booker, Beal, and Nurkic, proclaiming him an established starting point guard in the league.
Once a Wizard and a Grizzly Bear
Jones’ career really began to shape while in Memphis, playing behind Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Jones played solidly well during the Grizzlies standout 51-31 season two years ago when he averaged 10.3 PPG, his highest in Memphis. He upped that average last year in Washington with a career-high 12 PPG. Jones also plays fast, an element Budenholzer referenced. Despite the Wizards‘ deplorable record last season, winning just 15 games, they did lead the NBA in pace. The Suns are counting on Jones to carry over his pace onto the floor with Durant and Booker.
Jones In, Allen Out
With Jones sliding into the starting lineup, someone must move to the bench. That someone is Grayson Allen. While it is not a determent to Allen’s play—Budenholzer’s former player in Milwaukee is coming off a career year—it is essentially the pace and speed that this move makes sense for Coach Bud. Allen started in 74 out of 75 games last season. He averaged 13.5 points, 46.1% from three, and shot just shy of 50% from the field. Allen’s fit in year one in Phoenix worked out splendidly for him.
His coach made it apparent that he looked forward to coaching his former player again earlier this summer.
“There’s so many great players that I’ve had the good fortune to be around, but he’s right up there,” Budenholzer said of Allen at his introductory press conference on May 17. “I love that guy. I love his toughness, I love his competitiveness.”
Despite his move to the second unit, don’t expect Allen’s productivity to drop too much. He’s an excellent three-point shooter (career 41.2%) and familiar with Budenholzer. Putting aside his sketchy persona as a dirty player, Allen has turned himself into a solid role player, as evident by last season’s career year.
