PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have signed Tyus Jones on a one-year deal, adding a point guard to play with the team's All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Jones released a statement to ESPN confirming the deal and the player's agency, LIFT Sports Management, reposted the statement, which reads:
The chance to play for the Phoenix Suns made the most sense on a lot of levels to me and my family — beginning with the way (Governor) Mat Ishbia and the front office recruited me to how Coach (Mike Budenholzer) showed me how I can significantly impact a team that has a real opportunity to challenge for an NBA title as their starting point guard.
My agent (Kevin Bradbury) walked me and my family through multiple free agent offers and sign-and-trade proposals at a number of different financial levels by the Suns' opportunity is where I can best maximize my value for a return to free agency next year as well as give myself a chance to be part of what I think will be a special team and season.
The 6-foot-1 Jones is entering his 10th season in the league and averaged 12 points and 7.3 assists per game for the Washington Wizards last season. Jones also spent four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and another four with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jones shot 49% from the field last season, including 41% from 3-point range. He has a chance to start for the Suns, giving them the true point guard they lacked last season when they were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Timberwolves.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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