Tyus Jones will be traded mid-season
The Washington Wizards will likely be an active team on the trade market this season. There are simply too many veterans on reasonable contracts on this team that should be attractive trade targets for playoff teams. Perhaps none more than Tyus Jones.
Kyle Kuzma is also an obvious candidate to be traded and he will likely be mentioned in trade rumors for the next several years. His skill set and contract are too attractive for playoff teams. However, he will require a larger trade package, and with the new salary-matching rules under the new collective bargaining agreement, pulling a Kuzma trade mid-season might be more difficult. He is a better candidate to be moved in the offseason.
Tyus Jones, on the other hand, is the perfect mid-season addition for any team looking for a backup point guard upgrade or another ball-handler. His expiring contract and reasonable annual salary make a trade involving him more feasible. Any team who has $14 million in matching salary and a late first-round pick or a few second-round picks should be able to acquire him.
Despite being a valuable player, Tyus Jones’ fit on the Wizards long-term is not certain. He is 27 years old and doesn’t have much upside, and the Wizards would have to give him a new long-term contract next offseason if they don’t move him at the trade deadline. There is no reason for Washington to tie up their cap space in the long run. Therefore, it behooves them to move Jones for whatever they can get; ideally a young player of interest and draft assets.