Why the Suns’ second season with the ‘Huge Three’ could be totally different with Tyus Jones

PHOENIX — Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have been in Paris, competing for Group USA within the Olympics, when information broke that veteran level guard Tyus Jones would signal with the Phoenix Suns.

At Suns media day on Monday, Booker recalled how his Olympic teammates reacted within the locker room. One thing alongside the strains of, “Man, how did y’all get that executed?”

The primary two seasons underneath Mat Ishbia’s possession produced jaw-dropping transactions. In February 2023, the Suns traded for Durant in a blockbuster deal earlier than the commerce deadline. 4 months later, they accomplished an offseason commerce for Bradley Beal, among the many prime scorers within the Jap Convention.

Phoenix’s summer time signing of Jones to a one-year deal price a bit over $3 million didn’t create comparable civic pleasure, however it may need an even bigger affect as a result of the pass-first level guard is precisely what the Suns want. “We are able to say it how it’s,” Booker stated. “We bought him for a steal.”

The championship discuss has died down within the desert. That’s what occurs after a disappointing season. With Booker, Durant and Beal in place, followers right here thought the Suns final season had an opportunity to win the group’s first title. As an alternative, the Suns battled accidents, struggled with chemistry and have been swept within the postseason’s first spherical.

This preseason already has a special really feel. Mike Budenholzer changed Frank Vogel as head coach (somebody needed to take the autumn), however it goes past a management change. With follow set to start out Tuesday, continuity has turn into a key organizational buzzword. As an alternative of attempting to show everybody proper, chasing expectations like final season, this group could also be extra decided to show everybody fallacious, displaying its championship window stays open. It’s a noteworthy growth that requires a special mindset.

And level guard.

“I do know we had plenty of talks final 12 months about, ‘Does this group want a degree guard,’” veteran guard Grayson Allen stated. “And plenty of instances, I used to be sort of the man who thought no. However there’s not many guys on the market like Tyus. Not a complete lot of level guards on the market that play like Tyus. I actually suppose he’s good for our group.”

Added Durant: “A man who’s seen quite a bit on this league is at all times good.”

Ishbia likes how the Suns are positioned. It begins with Budenholzer, the Arizona native who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 title, beating the Suns within the finals. Ishbia stated the 55-year-old Budenholzer already has exceeded expectations. Requested particularly what this implies, Ishbia stated Budenholzer has taken possession of each element, from follow plans to the place his workplace is situated within the follow facility.

Responded Budenholzer with sarcasm: “Perhaps we’ve got higher toothbrushes or … shampoo or one thing like that.”

“They’re gonna make my job very easy, and I plan on doing the identical for them.”

🗣️ Tyus Jones on enjoying with E-book, KD & Brad pic.twitter.com/3jcyQZZIJN

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 30, 2024

Heart Jusuf Nurkić stated Budenholzer has been involved with gamers since he took the job in Could. The veteran huge man stated he has discovered Budenholzer’s honesty refreshing, a coach telling him not what he wished to listen to however what he wanted to listen to. It’s not a coincidence that Nurkić spent his summer time capturing 3s, one thing he did solely in spurts final season.

Ball motion, defensive communication and 3-point capturing have been media-day themes, particularly the long-range capturing. With Booker and Durant thriving within the mid-range, Phoenix final season averaged 32.6 3-point makes an attempt per recreation, which tied for twenty fourth within the league. It usually positioned the Suns at a drawback, one they struggled to make up.

Allen, who led the league final season in 3-point accuracy, stated he hopes the Suns can end within the prime 5 in 3-point makes an attempt. He identified that will require Phoenix’s prime six gamers to aim about one further 3-point try per recreation, which he stated isn’t so far-fetched.

That’s the place Jones is available in. Final season the Suns tried to outlive and not using a pure level guard, leaning on Booker and Beal to provoke offense. Each guards have been succesful, however the state of affairs was by no means superb. Phoenix averaged 14.9 turnovers, which ranked close to the underside of the league. Worse, the Suns have been disorganized in key moments. Beal performed out of place. Durant appeared annoyed.

To enhance, the Suns realized they wanted to maximise their “Huge 3” whereas additionally decreasing its load. Jones, who final season averaged 12 factors and seven.3 assists with the Washington Wizards, appeared like the proper match.

Since coming into the league in 2015, he has excelled at offensive group. He performs underneath management. He will get the ball to the place it must go. And he was out there. Ishbia stated at first the Phoenix entrance workplace — with Booker, Durant and Beal locked in for $150 million mixed — thought it had no probability to signal Jones. However as soon as conversations began, these possibilities elevated. First to 10 p.c. Then 20. Jones talked with Booker, Durant, Beal and Allen, his faculty teammate at Duke.

“I wish to win,” stated Jones, who made $14 million final season with Washington and may very well be eligible for an even bigger payday subsequent season. “I wish to contend for a championship. Clearly, the roster that was in place previous to me coming right here was engaging. Simply getting an opportunity to play with so many nice gamers. And, additionally, the function … simply how they envision myself with the ability to step in and proceed to set the desk and have an effect on profitable. In the end, that’s what I wished to have.”

Because the Suns discovered final season, nothing is assured. Well being can be an element. Protection stays a priority. And chemistry at all times appears higher presently of 12 months than it does in December. Budenholzer is aware of this in addition to anybody.

“It’s all discuss at this stage,” he stated. “I’m similar to another coach. I’m attempting to get my group prepared for follow tomorrow, prepare for video games and be one of the best we will.”

GO DEEPER

The evening the Suns performed the Lakers in Flagstaff and Wilt Chamberlain modified a flat tire

(High picture of Tyus Jones at Monday’s media day: Christian Petersen / Getty Pictures)