Basketball Intelligence For 7/28/24
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: Derrick White on his Olympic arrival, reuniting with Celtics, Jaylen Brown’s frustrations, and defending an NBA title
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
CHA: Early impressions of Tidjane Salaün
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer
PHX: Projecting the Suns depth chart after bargain-bin Tyus Jones signing
Christopher Kline, FanSided
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Jones turned down four times as much money from other teams, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks as reported suitors. This is a huge credit to Mat Ishbia, Mike Budenholzer, and Suns management. It takes one heck of a pitch to land a top free agent in his prime on a 75 percent discount
Jones' 7.35 assist-to-turnover ratio last season was the highest in recorded NBA history. He now owns the three highest single-season marks since the stat joined the official record in 1977-78.
This is a coup for the Suns, through and through. It's hard to fathom Jones not making more than the veteran minimum. Several teams should've been banging down his door for a sign-and-trade in the $20 million range. Alas, Jones goes to an established contender, and it's hard not to be impressed with how Phoenix has handled its offseason in such a tight spot. Credit where credit is due, Ishbia is changing the culture around this Suns team.
PHX: Suns now have the 2 best players in NBA history in this category
Brendan Mau, Burn City Sports
One glaring weakness that plagued the Phoenix Suns all of last season was turnovers, as they could never figure out the right offensive system due to a variety of factors.
Last year, the Suns averaged 14.9 team turnovers per game, which was the 25th most in the NBA. Phoenix faced health issues all season long and finished the year without a true point guard seeing minutes, as it tried a multi ball-handler approach with Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Eric Gordon and others.
This offseason, the Suns addressed this hole and added the two best players statistically in assist-to-turnover ratio in NBA history in Tyus Jones and Monte Morris. They did so by getting both players on one-year, veteran-minimum deals.
Jones has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the last six seasons, while Morris has been second in this category in four of those years.
WAS: How Jonas Valanciunas could help Alex Sarr's development
Chase Hughes, Monumental Sports Network
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