3 players the Cavs can sign with the Mid-Level Exception

3 players the Cavs can sign with the Mid-Level Exception: Tyus Jones

The Cavs thrived last season with two high-level point guards on the team. Ricky Rubio came aboard via trade over the summer and proved to be a revelation in the rotation. As the Cavs discovered later in the season after Rubio went down with an ACL tear, having 48 minutes of solid point guard play is incredibly valuable for a team.

Even more so, the Cavs struck gold by playing both Rubio and Darius Garland on the court at the same time. Rubio had enough size to defend shooting guards, and Garland’s off-ball movement and shooting allowed the two to conduct beautiful music on offense.

Rubio is now on the Indiana Pacers after his contract was used as matching salary in the Caris LeVert deal at the NBA Trade Deadline. His return to the Cavs is certainly possible, but he likely won’t be ready for much of the season. If the Cavs instead want to recreate that impact but with a player who can be ready on Day 1, then Tyus Jones is a name to watch.

Jones has been one of the league’s best backup point guards during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies and hits unrestricted free agency this summer. One of the strategic ways that the Grizzlies deployed Jones was on the court with star point guard Ja Morant; Jones also thrived filling in for Morant when he was injured, seeming to be at his best when he received a large number of minutes.

The Grizzlies will be motivated to bring him back, but they also want to leverage their cap space to go after another star, whether this summer or next. Jones may also want to find a place where he can be the starting point guard, but there aren’t a ton of opportunities like that around the league. Cleveland offers a large role, likely the opportunity to close a lot of games, and an up-and-coming team he can help take to the next level. The Cavs at least have to make the call.