The Dallas Mavericks are set to waive point guard Tyus Jones, as reported by Marc Stein from The Stein Line. This decision is expected to be finalized before the end of the day on Sunday, ensuring that Jones will maintain his playoff eligibility with his next team.
At 29 years old, Jones is an 11th-year veteran known for his playmaking skills and reliable ball control. Over his NBA career, he has averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 assists while maintaining an impressive low turnover rate of just 0.8 per game across 738 regular-season appearances for teams including Minnesota, Memphis, Washington, Phoenix, Orlando, and Dallas.
Jones had a four-year tenure with both the Timberwolves and the Grizzlies before experiencing a more nomadic stint in recent seasons, where he has played for four different teams over three years. This season, he started with the Orlando Magic after signing a one-year, $7 million contract but struggled to make an impact, averaging only 3.1 points and 2.6 assists in a bench role with shooting percentages that reflected his challenges on the court.
After a trade to the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline—part of a move by the Magic to reduce salary cap costs—Jones was subsequently traded again to the Mavericks. Although reports in the past indicated that Dallas had pursued Jones before opting to sign D’Angelo Russell instead, the current decision reflects his intention to find a new opportunity with a playoff-contending team.
By waiving Jones, the Mavericks will create space on their 15-man roster, with strong indications that two-way guard Ryan Nembhard could be promoted to fill that gap. Nembhard has been active for 44 games this season, but he has been on the inactive list since February 5. If he is promoted to a standard contract soon, it would eliminate the limitations of his current two-way deal and allow the Mavericks to add another player before the March 4 deadline for two-way signings.
In addition to Jones, veteran forward Khris Middleton is another potential buyout candidate in Dallas, with Denver reportedly among his likely destinations. This reshaping of the Mavericks’ roster could signal a strategic pivot as the team looks to bolster its lineup for a strong playoff push.