The Timberwolves have reportedly tendered a qualifying offer to point guard Tyus Jones.
It’s a formality, really, as simply making Jones the one-year offer will at the very least prevent Jones from becoming an unrestricted free agent on June 30. Instead, if Jones doesn’t accept the offer, which he surely won’t, he can entertain offers from any team in the league as a restricted free agent.
If a team submits a contract to Jones, the Wolves have the right to match it.
What remains unclear is if new President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas believes Jones is part of his long-term vision in Minnesota.
In 68 games last season, the Apple Valley native averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists, but he increased his points (11.2) and assists (7.3) during the final 15 games of the season when he started.
Jones didn’t shoot the ball very well – 41.5% from inside the arc and 31.7% from 3 – but he led the NBA in assist to turnover ratio, averaging a whopping 6.96 assists for every one turnover. That’s actually a NBA record among players with at least 200 assists in a season.
