If you asked the average Magic fan the last 3-4 years how they’d help fix Orlando‘s glaring problems on offense, it’s more than likely they would have mentioned acquiring Tyus Jones.
The veteran point guard led the NBA in assists-to-turnover ratio a league-record six consecutive seasons from 2018-24.
In that same span, the Magic as a whole ranked in the bottom ten league-wide in assists-to-turnover ratio in four of the six seasons.
Jones, who signed as a free agent with the franchise over the summer, would tend to agree with those fans that viewed him as an antidote for Orlando, but doesn’t question why it took so long.
“This has been a place where I’ve kind of had my eye on and thought the fit was there the last few years,” he said recently. “It eventually played itself out and the time is right now. I’m excited to be here.
“I plan on making those fans happy and [I] look forward to playing in front of them,” he added.
Jones and the Magic had their first chance to play in front of fans Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico against the Miami Heat to open the preseason.
But before Orlando traveled to the Caribbean island, Jones reflected on his choice to join Jamahl Mosley‘s squad this summer.
“I’m thrilled with the decision to come here and it’s been nothing but great times for me and my family since getting down here,” said Jones who mentioned he was able to take his Kindergarten-aged son to Disney World.
“That was fun and we’ve got some more dates in our future, I’m sure,” Jones added.
He hopes the Magic have similar fun when they step on the court this season. While the sights and sounds of Orlando played a role in his signing, it was ultimately a basketball-driven decision.
“We’re all on the same page with what we’re trying to do, and that’s what drew me to here is the chance to compete for a championship and to really chase that,” Jones said. “I want to help in any way I can to elevate this team and do whatever is asked of me.”
What Mosley asks of Jones will likely be more of the same from the time he entered the league.
Since he was drafted in 2015, he has recorded 116 career games with 5-plus assists and no turnovers, the most in the league during that span (second is Chris Paul with 80).
This summer, Jones said he worked on extending his range from 3-point land and his conditioning to be ready for the season.
“We’re trying to play faster this year so I continued to try to get in best shape as possible,” Jones said about his offseason.
He also focused on getting to know his new teammates, a few of which he already has a connection with from their past. Jones said over the summer he’s known fellow Minnesota native Jalen Suggs since the All-Defensive guard was in the 3rd-4th grade.
“It’s surreal to take a step back and see where we’re at,” Jones said.
He also shares ties to Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero. All three played at different times under former Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.
“I don’t take it lightly,” Jones said. “It’s just a special brotherhood and family that you get a chance to be a part of and for me it’s cool to have a couple teammates who have been in that same light with Duke being one of the biggest basketball brands in the world.”
Although he knows them well off the court, Jones is still getting acclimated to playing with them on it.
“As a point guard especially, you’ve got to know your teammates like the back of your hand,” he said. “You’ve got to know the system like the back of your hand. You’ve got to figure out exactly what Mosley wants from not only you but the rest of the team because you’ve got to be the extension of the coach out on the court.
“Being a leader and veteran on this team, that’s going to be really my focus coming into the season and it’s a process. As the season goes [on], we want to continue to take steps forward,” he added.
Their next steps come this week when the Magic return to Orlando for another week of practice before heading to Philadelphia on Friday for their second preseason contest.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
