Lakers lose another top free agent option as he signs with rival

The Los Angeles Lakers’ quiet offseason continues as they lost top free agent point guard Tyus Jones.

Jones and the Phoenix Suns have agreed to a one-year contract. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shared the news via Twitter/X.

Jones told ESPN why he chose Phoenix over the other 29 teams.

“The opportunity to play for the Phoenix Suns was the most logical choice for me and my family on many levels, first and foremost the way (Governor) Mat Ishbia and the board recruited me and the way coach (Mike Budenholzer) showed me how I could make a significant impact on a team that has a real shot at competing for an NBA title as a starting point guard,” Jones told ESPN on Saturday.

“My agent (Bradbury) has walked me and my family through multiple free agent offers and sign-and-trade proposals at various financial levels, but the opportunity for the Suns is that I can benefit the most from returning to free agency next year and give myself the opportunity to be a part of what I think will be a special team and season.”

Over the past two seasons, Jones has proven to be one of the best point guards in the NBA. Jones may not be an All-NBA or All-Star player, but he does the little things that are necessary to win games. Last year, Jones had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.35, the highest of any player in a season since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78.

Jones is the ultimate point guard and he made 41 percent of his three-pointers in his season with the league’s worst team, the Washington Wizards.

The 28-year-old joins last year’s No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

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