Ex-Grizzlies guard tabbed as 'stabilizing' trade target to pair with budding star

This summer, the Memphis Grizzlies opted to slightly retool their collection of ballers, with perhaps the most notable move being their decision to send fan-favorite point guard Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal that brought defensive stalwart Marcus Smart to the 38103.

Though initially seen as a clear upgrade from a talent perspective, with some claiming the veteran's addition will make Taylor Jenkins' club truly "scary," through just over a month of play it's evident that things haven't panned out as well as many originally anticipated as Smart has been sidelined since mid-November due to an ankle injury and, even when active, he hasn't proven to be all that efficient (12.5 points and 5.0 assists on 42.9 percent shooting).

On the flip side, Jones has been quite solid in his new role as a full-time point guard with the Wizards, which should come as no surprise considering he posted tremendous averages of 16.4 points, 8.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 50.0 percent shooting from the field in such a role during his final season with the Grizzlies.

However, despite his impressive efforts, Washington is still in the running for the worst team in the entire league, boasting the second-worst record at 3-17 and have lost 12 of their last 13 games.

Because of this, some such as Bleacher Report's Dan Favale believe GM Will Dawkins might want to consider cutting bait on their offseason acquisition in Jones to embrace something of a full-on rebuild era in D.C., and, should this happen, he is advocating that the San Antonio Spurs should be interested in pursuing his services.

Spurs urged to pursue ex-Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones via trade

Citing their need for a legitimate floor general rather than using natural forward Jeremy Sochan as an experimental playmaker to compliment rookie phenom and budding star Victor Wembanyama, Favale is under the impression that adding a guy like Jones could be mightily beneficial for the Spurs in a multitude of ways.

"San Antonio needn't be in a rush to win more games. But acquiring a true floor general and game manager helps streamline the development of everyone—including Victor Wembanyama, who is far more efficient with Tre Jones on the floor than when he's off, according to PBP Stats.

Inserting Tyus Jones into the rotation (and preferably the starting five) should have an equally stabilizing impact, creating a sturdier offensive dynamic the Spurs can ride for the majority of 48-minute games. Sochan himself even benefits. Having both Joneses lets him work on his off-ball game, and his on-ball reps are more of an asset when deployed as a secondary weapon rather than systemic crutch.
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- Dan Favale on Tyus Jones

Along with his assessment, Favale also constructed a hypothetical trade package between the two parties, with the Spurs receiving Jones and the Wizards bringing on Devonte' Graham, a future lottery protected first-round pick, and a future second rounder.

Through 20 games played, the former Grizzlies stud finds himself posting impressive averages of 11.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting a highly efficient 50.5 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from distance.