On Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Tyus Jones will leave the Washington Wizards to sign a one-year, $3.3 million minimum level contract with the Phoenix Suns. Jones was the top free agent point guard for multiple weeks since the signing and negotiation period began on June 30.

In Wojnarowski’s article, Jones said that the Suns and head coach Mike Budenholzer recruited him since free agency began and that the team could be an NBA championship contender with him as the starting point guard. Last season, the Suns didn’t have a true point guard, but former Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal played extended minutes there.

Jones played one season for the Wizards, averaging 12 points and 7.3 assists per game in 66 appearances.

It is not surprising that Jones left the Wizards. However, it is a surprise that Jones is taking a pay cut to go to Phoenix of this magnitude. He is 28 years old and in his prime. Last season, he earned about $14 million with the Wizards on the second year of a two-year contract that he originally signed with the Phoenix Suns.

Still, the reality of the free agent market was that teams were hesitant to sign him, presumably as a starting point guard, for a salary at around the level he earned last year. So Jones is taking this short term offer now, for the hope that he will earn an even larger deal in the near future. That may be a very smart play considering that the NBA’s new 11-year $76 billion media deal kicks in for the 2025-26 season.

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