REPORT: Cavaliers Interested In Tyus Jones
The NBA Trade Deadline is inching closer and closer and the Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to make a move.
One player who the Cavs are reportedly interested in is Washington Wizards starting point guard Tyus Jones, per Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
Jan 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones (5) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) during the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA
Jones is a good fit for the Cavaliers on the offensive end of the floor. The 27-year-old is averaging 12.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds with 49/40/75 shooting splits in his ninth season in the NBA. Having a player of Jones' caliber come off the bench and help run the second unit with Caris LeVert would be a huge boost for this already strong second unit.
There is one downside to Jones' game and that's his questionable defense. He has a defensive rating of 121.7 which is easily the highest of his career. Thankfully, the Cavaliers have Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade who are strong defensive players and could help on the defensive end if a deal is made.
The cost it would take to get Jones is another conversation. The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly offered four second-round picks to acquire Jones, but the Wizards declined.
Cleveland doesn't have much draft capital as it is going back to the Donovan Mitchell trade. Would it be worth giving up that much just for a backup guard?
Some fans may question a move to acquire another backup point guard when rookie Craig Porter Jr. has played so well in all of the opportunities he's been given. It does make sense the Cavaliers would want a proven guard in their rotation come the playoffs though.
Either way, if Cleveland is serious about strengthening their bench then Jones would be a logical target.
