The Orlando Magic are off to a solid start this season, sitting at 15-12 despite battling injuries and the usual early-season adjustments. They’ve shown resilience, grit, and flashes of the two-way identity head coach Jamahl Mosley has worked to establish. But even with that promising record, not everything is clicking - and one of the biggest concerns right now is the underwhelming play of veteran guard Tyus Jones.
Jones was one of the Magic’s key offseason additions, brought in alongside Desmond Bane as part of a strategy to add playoff-tested talent to a young, ascending roster. While Bane has delivered on expectations, bringing his trademark shooting and toughness to Orlando’s backcourt, Jones has struggled to find his rhythm - and his role.
Through 27 games, Jones is averaging just 2.5 points and 2.1 assists per game. For a player known for his steady hand and low-turnover decision-making, the numbers are jarring.
He’s shooting just 34.3 percent from the field and an even colder 28.9 percent from three. That’s not just a slump - it’s a season-long slide that’s raising real questions about his fit with this roster.
The struggles were on full display in Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. With Jalen Suggs sidelined due to a hip issue, Jones was inserted into the starting lineup.
He played a little over 19 minutes, scoring five points and dishing out four assists. But he also finished with a -20 plus-minus - a tough stat to ignore in a game where the Magic needed a stabilizing presence and didn’t get one.
And as Jones continues to search for answers, rookie Jase Richardson is quietly making a case for more minutes. Richardson has only appeared in 16 games so far, averaging just over seven minutes per contest.
But in those limited opportunities, he’s flashed real promise - averaging 4.1 points on an efficient 45 percent from beyond the arc. That kind of shooting is hard to ignore, especially for a team that has at times struggled to space the floor consistently.
Richardson’s performance against Denver - nine points on 4-of-9 shooting - earned praise from Coach Mosley, who highlighted the rookie’s energy and aggressiveness.
“I think Jase had some great looks,” Mosley said. “Getting downhill, attacking the basket, picking up full court. All those things that we're asking him to do to continue to help his team.”
That’s the kind of two-way activity the Magic value - and it’s part of why Richardson is starting to carve out a role, even in a crowded backcourt.
As for Jones, the clock may be ticking. With a $7 million expiring contract, his name is already surfacing in trade speculation.
The Magic could look to move him before the deadline, especially if they believe Richardson - or another young guard - is ready for a larger role. But given Jones’ current production, finding a trade partner won’t be easy.
The Magic are in an interesting spot. They’re competitive, young, and still developing their identity.
But to stay in the playoff mix in a deep Eastern Conference, they’ll need more consistency from their bench - and right now, Tyus Jones just isn’t providing it. Whether that leads to a bigger opportunity for Jase Richardson or a move on the trade market remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: Orlando’s backcourt rotation is far from settled.