Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 bargain bin targets in 2019 NBA free agency
By Ethan Becker
3. Tyus Jones
As far as the money side of contract negotiations go, Jones is a bit of a breath of fresh air for the Wolves. Since he’s spent all four years of his career in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves have Jones’ Bird rights, and you can expect them to use that to their advantage.
What will most likely happen at the start of free agency is the Minnesota will renounce the cap holds on Gibson and Jones, and then try to convince the two to re-sign. Gibson will be considerably harder to retain than Jones, since Wolves don’t have his Bird rights, but if the Wolves decide to wait it out for offers to come for their restricted free agent, a standoff could ensue.
Jones had a career year last season with the Timberwolves, and showed that he could be a reliable source for bench production, and could even grow to be the leader of a second unit. He averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last season, and when he started, those numbers rose to 10.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
With Derrick Rose likely on the way out, Jones may want to sign with the Wolves if the offer is right. A Minnesota boy, he seems more than happy to play for his hometown team, and a long-term investment in him could pay dividends.