NBA Rumors: Knicks "Intrigued" By Grizzlies Guard in Free Agency

The New York Knicks will be looking to upgrade at point guard over the offseason, and as everyone in the basketball universe knows by now, the Dallas Mavericks' breakout star Jalen Brunson is their No. 1 priority. 

However, Marc Berman of the New York Post says the Knicks do have a backup plan if Brunson decides to stay put in the Lone Star State.

"Memphis backup point guard Tyus Jones, who played three seasons for (current Knicks coach) Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, is weaving a career year and is on the Knicks’ radar, according to an NBA source."

As Ja Morant's backup, Jones has had the keys to the Memphis offense on plenty of occasions this season, as Morant missed no less than 25 games. The Grizz were 20-5 in those games, 19-5 in games started by Jones. On the season, the 25-year-old averaged 21 minutes, with 8.7 points, 4.4 assists and 39% shooting from three-point range. 

And here's a juicy nugget: Jones set an NBA record for best assists-to-turnover ratio this season (7 to 1). He's led the league in this category for the last four years. 

Highest career AST/TOV ratio:

4.0 — Chris Paul
4.2 — John Paxson
4.7 — Muggsy Bogues

5.2 — Tyus Jones pic.twitter.com/MX2RtMyJo0

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 29, 2022

“I love him,’’ one NBA coach told Berman. “He has to be one of the best backup point guards in the league, if not the best.’’ 

League sources say that the 7-year veteran "could command the full non-taxpayer $10.2M mid-level exception," which is within the Knicks' available offerings. 

Brunson has raised his value significantly in these playoffs, and may be unattainable for the Knicks. If that's the case, Jones is a very good fallback target. 

Photo Credit:  Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports