Report: Tyus Jones' Grizzlies Contract Offer Sheet Not Matched by Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves will reportedly not match the Memphis Grizzlies' three-year, $28 million offer sheet for restricted free agent point guard Tyus Jones, cementing the 23-year-old's move to Tennessee.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news on Jones, who averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 22.9 minutes per game last season. He also finished 17th among 99 qualified point guards in defensive real plus-minus, according to ESPN.

The ex-Duke Blue Devil played 68 games in 2018-19, starting 23.

Jones clearly fared well in a Minnesota uniform, and the team doesn't have a long-term solution at point guard with 31-year-old Jeff Teague entering the final year of his contract.

However, Wojnarowski provided a reason for why the Timberwolves decided to move on:

As for the Grizzlies and their new addition, Synergy Basketball offered high praise for the guard's offensive work, most notably his assist-to-turnover ratio:

He should get more opportunities to showcase that efficiency in Memphis alongside No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant, per NBA writer Sean Deveney:

Peter Edmiston of The Athletic also did a deep dive:

"His sterling [assist-to-turnover ratio] somehow improved as a starter, with Jones totaling 176 assists and just 24 turnovers (7.3-1) in his 23 games playing a starting role for the Wolves. Over the team’s final seven games, Jones dished out 57 assists while committing just three turnovers (19-1). Avoiding turnovers and passing accurately are extraordinarily crucial for a team that will play at tempo and with inexperienced young players. Jones serves that purpose with aplomb and with a tidiness that belies his tender age. It would serve as a nice counter-balance to Morant, who had a tendency to commit turnovers by the bunch in college."

Overall, Edmiston seems bullish on Jones' place in the Memphis lineup:

The move to Jones indicates a parting of ways with combo guard Delon Wright, formerly of the Toronto Raptors prior to a 2018-19 midseason trade.

However, David Cobb of the Commercial Appeal mentioned that the Grizz need Jones to play off-ball like Wright, or else the team is simply investing in a backup point guard:

On the more pessimistic side, Jones is a career 41.9 percent shooter, including just 33.3 percent from three-point range. His scoring ability is a legitimate concern after four seasons in the league.

However, that's not why Jones is on the roster. Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. figure to carry the scoring burden for the immediate future, with Jones asked to continue his largely mistake-free offensive game and stellar defensive work.

Plus, Memphis is playing with house money next year as the team looks to develop its young talent and work toward a brighter future after missing the playoffs the last two seasons. Overall, Jones looks like a smart addition at first glance.