Though he had made 94 begins throughout eight NBA seasons previous to 2023/24, final season was Tyus Jones‘ first as a full-timer in that position — he began all 66 video games he performed for the Wizards. That pattern measurement is sweet sufficient for brand spanking new Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer, who tells Steve Aschburner of NBA.com that Jones has “established himself as a fantastic place to begin guard in our league” and that the plan is for the veteran to be in Phoenix’s beginning 5 to open the 2024/25 season.
“While you put him on the market with Kevin (Durant), Brad (Beal), Guide (Devin Booker) and Nurk (Jusuf Nurkic), we really feel like we’ve received a robust beginning 5,” Budenholzer stated, confirming what he expects his preliminary beginning group to appear like. “And a very sturdy bench behind them.
“Tyus may help us play quicker. He’s nice with the kick-aheads, he’s nice with getting teammates concerned in transition. However then additionally within the half-court. He’s a man who has all the time been a excessive assists man, low turnovers. He can get us organized. Everybody talks about how a lot expertise we now have. Hopefully he can put them in positions to be their finest.”
Right here’s extra from across the Pacific:
- Frank Kaminsky‘s new non-guaranteed deal with the Suns presents him no assurances for the common season, however he’s nonetheless excited to be again with the group after having labored out on the group’s observe facility in latest weeks, he tells Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports activities. “I like it right here,” the veteran huge man stated. “There’s no different method I can describe it. There’s simply such a stage of affection and luxury that I’ve residing right here, being right here. I’ve constructed a pleasant group right here, have nice pals — all the things right here is about up properly for me. And that’s why when the camp deal began getting talked about, it’s the one I needed, simply because I really like being right here.”
- This week’s revelation that Kawhi Leonard underwent one other knee process within the offseason and will likely be restricted in coaching camp is an ominous one for the Clippers, however president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank tried to downplay considerations concerning the star ahead’s standing, writes Anthony De Leon of The Los Angeles Occasions. “It’s nearly gone,” Frank stated of the swelling in Leonard’s knee. “He desires to take part in all the things throughout coaching camp, however we’re going to carry him again from drill work and actually give attention to strengthening.” The aim, Frank added, is “to get him to 100% so he can have a fantastic season, not simply this 12 months, however for a few years.”
- New Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. will likely be allowed to participate in group actions throughout coaching camp whereas the NBA continues to examine the home incident that occurred final September, tweets Regulation Murray of The Athletic. Porter reached a plea settlement of a third-degree reckless assault misdemeanor in January, however wasn’t within the NBA at the moment and should face a suspension from the league.
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report reads between the strains of Rob Pelinka‘s and JJ Redick‘s feedback to reporters on the Lakers‘ pre-camp press convention on Wednesday, sharing 10 observations about what the group’s head of basketball operations and new head coach needed to say.
