Tyus

Jones

Jones got off to a solid start on Monday, scoring 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the first half. Unfortunately for the Suns and fantasy managers, his production tailed off in the second half, with the point guard scoring six points on 2-of-5 shooting. Jones remains a solid point guard to have rostered, as he’s providing top-100 per-game value, but he possesses a limited fantasy ceiling.

Jones scored a season-high 22 points and matched his career-high with six 3-pointers in Sunday’s overtime defeat. Thus far, he’s been what fantasy managers expected, with Jones providing 7th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats. While the ceiling may not be exceptionally high, Jones boasts a reliable floor as Phoenix’s starting point guard.

After a disappointing first half, Phoenix scored 73 points in the second as they erased a 21-point deficit to move to 4-1. Jones’s impact due to his efficient playmaking cannot be denied. He finished Thursday’s win with 11 assists while committing just one turnover and now has four turnovers in five games. The Suns envisioned this when they signed Jones, who has also been a valuable asset for fantasy managers.

Jones did what many fantasy managers have come to expect, producing an efficient stat line that may not jump off the page. He dished out eight assists without committing a turnover on Wednesday while shooting 50% from the field and recording a full stat line. The playing time was just as encouraging; if Jones plays into the thirties consistently, he’ll be a valuable point guard in fantasy basketball.

After dishing out six assists in Sunday’s exhibition win over the Lakers, Jones was one better in East Lansing on Tuesday. As has become the norm, he took care of the basketball, not committing a single turnover. As part of the high-powered Suns lineup, Jones can make a run at top-75 value, even if he’s unlikely to be selected that early in most drafts.

Jones made his unofficial Suns debut on Sunday night in Palm Desert, and the team had to be pleased with his performance. The assists (six) and low turnover count (one) were unsurprising, but there may be room for Tyus to offer unexpected value in the 3-point category. After averaging a career-high 1.6 3-pointers per game in Washington last season, he made all three attempts on Sunday. While Jones will be Phoenix’s primary playmaker, playing alongside Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant should result in an increase in catch-and-shoot looks. Jones is a must-draft player in standard leagues and can provide top-100 value in this lineup.

In addition to stars Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant only playing 863 minutes together last season, the Suns were also done in by their lack of a “true” point guard. The offseason signings of Jones and Monte Morris were meant to address this issue, with Budenholzer making it clear that the former would be a starter. “Certainly, we feel like Tyus has established himself as a great starting point guard in our league, and he will be our starter,” Budenholzer told NBA.com. “When you put him out there with Kevin, Brad, Book, and Nurk [Jusuf Nurkic], we feel like we’ve got a strong starting five. And a really strong bench behind them.” Jones being given that role means Grayson Allen will head to the bench after a career year, cutting into his fantasy value.

Phoenix lacked a true point guard last season, and Jones will provide them with a reliable, efficient playmaker. He was a fantasy stud in Washington last year, and in a statement that he made following the announcement, he expects to start. He won’t be a ball dominant point guard for the Suns, but he should play enough to have standard league value. If he is starting, Grayson Allen will likely be pushed to the bench despite having an excellent season.

Kuzma and Jones will remain sidelined, with Jordan Poole continuing to replace the latter in the starting lineup. As for the former, it’s unknown who will fill the void, as Patrick Baldwin Jr. has been sent to the Wizards’ G League affiliate. Eugene Omoruyi, who was removed from the injury report, is one possibility, but he would not be worth streaming.

Jones’ continued absence is more impactful in fantasy basketball, as it allows Jordan Poole to remain in the starting point guard role. He did not play well in Friday’s loss to the Pistons, but the lineup change has given Poole’s fantasy value a welcome boost. As for Omoruyi, his absence will not impact fantasy basketball, especially if Richaun Holmes (toe, questionable) is cleared to play.