The Dallas Mavericks continue to reshape their backcourt ahead of the trade deadline, reportedly acquiring veteran point guard Tyus Jones from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Malaki Branham.
It’s a calculated move by a Mavericks front office that’s clearly focused on bolstering its guard depth. Jones, 29, has bounced around this season - he played 48 games with the Orlando Magic before being dealt to Charlotte just earlier this week. Now, after a brief and uneventful stay with the Hornets, he’s headed to Dallas, where he’ll have a real opportunity to contribute.
The Mavericks had already been active on the trade front, swinging a deal with the Washington Wizards that sent Anthony Davis out and brought Branham in. But Branham’s time in Dallas was short-lived, as he’s now on his way to Charlotte in the Jones deal. That same trade with Washington also saw Dallas move on from three guards - D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum, and Jaden Hardy - leaving a noticeable gap in the backcourt rotation.
Enter Tyus Jones.
While Jones’ numbers with Orlando this season don’t jump off the page - 3.0 points and 2.4 assists in just under 16 minutes per game - context matters. His limited playing time in a crowded Magic backcourt didn’t give him much room to operate.
But Dallas offers a different opportunity. With Kyrie Irving still sidelined due to injury and the Mavericks searching for stability at the point, Jones could step into a more prominent role.
He’s not a high-usage scorer, but Jones brings experience, steady decision-making, and a low-turnover style that could complement Luka Dončić’s high-usage, high-creation game. He’s the kind of guard who can keep the offense humming when Luka sits or play alongside him in dual-ballhandler sets - a role Dallas has long valued.
The Hornets, for their part, open up a $7 million trade exception in the deal, while adding a young guard in Branham who still has developmental upside. But for Dallas, this move is about the now. With the deadline looming and the Western Conference playoff picture tightening, the Mavericks are making sure they’re not caught short-handed at the game’s most important position.
Unless something unexpected materializes, Jones appears to be the Mavs’ final move before the trade buzzer sounds. And while it may not be the kind of blockbuster that dominates headlines, it’s a savvy addition for a team that knows it needs reliable guard play to make a serious postseason push.