Good, Better, Best: Raptors free agent point guard targets

Best: Tyus Jones

Very rarely is a starting-caliber player able to be had for less than starter money. However, Jones may have earned himself a contract that compensates him well after a breakout year while still allowing Toronto to remain flexible. When Ja Morant was injured, Jones kept the Grizzlies rolling.

Jones averaged a career-best 8.7 points and 4.4 assists per game in what because a solid year for Memphis, but the best individual feather in his cap was keeping the Grizzlies white-hot and a competitive No. 2 seed in the Western Conference while Morant was sidelined.

Tyus Jones would be perfect for the Toronto Raptors.

Jones’ pesky defense is reminiscent of VanVleet (albeit a tier or two less effective), and it should help Toronto get more consistency and quality out of that second unit. The Raptors might need to let either Boucher or Young leave to meet Jones’ financial obligations, but that is a risk they might need to take.

We have more than a half-decade of evidence that shows Jones can be an effective deputy point guard on a team challenging for a postseason spot. With a higher volume of 3-point shots, Jones’ scoring could hit double-digits for the first time in his career with the Raptors.