Tyus Jones (PG, MIN) - Week 11 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add In 14-Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 4% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Former Duke Blue Devil Tyus Jones has been a reliable staple in the Minnesota Timberwolves backcourt for four seasons now, and last year he played in all 82 games at a (at that time) career-high clip of 17.9 minutes per game. This season he has been averaging a career-best 18.1 minutes per outing through 31 games, and that is saying something considering the slew of skilled guards in Minnesota such as Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose. However, at the moment both of those guards are banged up, and Jones has taken proper advantage of his presented opportunity on the floor. In the six contests since the Wolves' December 10th match-up with Golden State, Jones has impressively stepped up his involvement on offense to the tune of five assists per game. Unfortunately, Jones has so far been shooting a career-worst rate from downtown at 26.9%, and even with his improved playing time over this six-game span he has averaged just 3.8 points per outing. That's alright though because the numbers speak to the fact that Jones's value comes from his passing ability and aggressive defense.

In his overall conservative floor-time, Jones already averages 1.1 steals and 3.1 assists per game. With Jimmy Butler no longer on the team, Jones's 2.2 steals per 36 minutes played and steal percentage of 2.9% rank fifth on the team behind just Robert Covington; and the trio of Luol Deng, Jared Terrell, and Jerryd Bayless (who have played in just six games between the three of them). Also, his 6.2 assists per 36 minutes ranks third on the team behind Bayless and Teague, while his assist percentage figure of 23% ranks fourth behind only Bayless, Teague, and D-Rose (sounding like Lil Pump). Even with so many skilled ball-handlers in Minneapolis, Tyus Jones has carved out a valuable niche for himself as a backup guard to the established Timberwolves veterans. When they are out of the lineup for whatever reason, Jones is a great asset in deeper leagues as a floor general and perimeter defender.