“What I do on the floor shows my value” This one quote from LeBron James showed that even in a field like the NBA, where players earn millions, your performance and experience determine how much more you can add to said millions. This is why Stephen Curry, one of the best sharp shooters of the modern NBA, recently signed a one-year $62.6 million contract. DeMar DeRozan, who has been in the league for the same amount of time, commands a base salary of $23.4 million. However, there have also been instances when a player’s pay has not always reflected their exceptional contribution. Tyus Jones has now popped up as one of them.

Returning to host his ‘Off-Guard’ podcast, Austin Rivers revealed that not many young players in today’s NBA will find success easily. Not because they aren’t good enough, but because the opportunity just wouldn’t present itself. “That is why you see so many guys getting pushed out the league. And I will stand on this. I do believe it’s diluting the NBA.” River’s co-host Pausha Haghighi agreed with the statement, adding “How the hell that Tyus Jones has led the NBA in assist-turnover ratio the last five years, and go pretty much on a minimum.”

“That minimum man, it’s like, that makes zero sense. I’m sorry, but it makes zero f*****g sense,” Rivers added. “I can give you 15 backup point guards right now that aren’t as good as Tyus Jones. If Tyus Jones was 22 years old right now, he’s had a $40 million. It makes no f*****g sense.” Given that the same $40 million contract was recently given to TJ McConnell, the hosts were as in ‘shock’ as they could be.

At 28 years of age, Tyus Jones has already devoted over 9 years to the NBA, playing for four different franchises. Despite this, the recent contract he signed with the Phoenix Suns was an abysmal 1 year, $3,003,427 deal. It is a big drop from the 2 year, $29 million contract that he had previously signed when playing for the Memphis Grizzles.

As it turned out, the player opted for the minimum level deal after careful consideration, stating “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.” Even for a short-team agreement, however, handing only $3 million to a veteran who is not only reportedly considered as a top backup point guard, but has also never averaged more than 1 turnover per game, raises some concern.

As it turns out, the Phoenix Suns’ precarious situation may only cause them to give out this much. The franchise currently has a cap allocation of $234.496 million for the 2024-25 NBA season. This is the second-highest for the upcoming series, right behind the $241.8 million by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Having spent so much on salaries, the limit for the second apron has already crossed a huge amount. Therefore, in a time when cutbacks are necessary to avoid any further penalties for crossing the limit, spending too much is not the franchise’s primary concern.

Issues related to pay and proper extension deals have been plaguing the NBA for quite some months now. The Golden State Warriors’ refusal to hand Klay Thompson the contract he desired is what reportedly led to his eventual exit. Now, as Jonathan Kuminga is looking for a five-year, $224 million contract extension like the other players from his draft class, the franchise had put its foot down. While some consider the Suns’ move a ‘dilution of the NBA’, as Austin Rivers stated, every doesn’t criticize it.

“Fit perfectly next to Phoenix’s Big Three” – Tyus Jones’ addition dubbed top off-season move for Phoenix Suns

A few days after Tyus Jones joined the Suns, NBA reporter Grant Hughes expressed admiration for the decision. If the Suns had raised concerns about their performance last season and their struggle to stay below the apron limits, Jones’ addition could provide some relief. The franchise clearly needs support on the offensive end.

“Point guard was a clear need for the Phoenix Suns last season, as the team’s trio of scoring stars often had to work a little too hard to generate their own offense,” Hughes said. “Enter Jones, a starting-caliber point guard whose pass-first game and low-mistake reputation fit perfectly next to Phoenix’s Big Three.”

Hughes highlighted that Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal will certainly hit buckets. However, entrusted with the same confidence last season, they ended up ninth. Much of the blame, however, also falls on the “minimum-salaried rotation players” whose scoring is lacking. Now, the focus shifts to the player earning the smallest salary of them all.

“A frequent owner of the league’s best assist-to-turnover ratio, Jones will help not only his star teammates, but especially the Suns’ more dependent scorers” the reporter continued.

Do you think Tyus Jones will succeed with the Suns? Will he leave the team, and secure a bigger contract than he had with the Grizzlies? Let us know in the comments down below.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.