Eric Sorenson
Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones has officially hit the ground running. Thursday night he added a much-needed point guard trading back into the first round and selecting Virginia’s Ty Jerome with the 24th pick.
Per ESPN, the Suns are sending the Celtics their 2020 first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eric Bledsoe deal. Planet Orange also added some inside help in the deal.
Sources: Boston has traded center Aron Baynes to Phoenix.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2019
Jerome, who declared for the draft after helping lead the Cavs to a NCAA National Championship this spring, improved his assistants per game in each of his three seasons in Charlottesville.
Ty Jerome (selected 24th overall by 76ers), scored or assisted on 47% of team’s points in NCAA Tournament, 2nd-most by national champion in last decade.
1st time multiple Virginia players (De’Andre Hunter) have been selected in 1st round in same year in the Common Draft Era.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 21, 2019
While far from an elite athlete, he thrives in the pick-and-roll game which suits the Suns well. He has nice size for a combo guard and is known for his quick, smart decisions running an offense.
The New York native is also known as a solid defender and makes others around him better-something the 19-win Suns desperately need. He averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game as a junior. Jerome figures to be in the mix at point guard when training camp begins this fall.
Cap space in Phoenix now is at a projected $14M after the Boston trade to acquire Aron Baynes and the rights to Ty Jerome.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 21, 2019
In Baynes, Phoenix gets a solid big man who is able to defend and has one year left on his contract. He will likely replace Richaun Holmes and backup Deandre Ayton.
