3 Free agents Lakers must prioritize after missing out on Gary Trent Jr.

Tyus Jones, UFA

Easily the No. 1 remaining free agent, Washington Wizards point guard Tyus Jones is one of the best facilitators in the NBA. Jones creates for others, rarely makes mistakes, and has an excellent outside shot—yet, remains unsigned.

It's possible that Jones is holding out for a contract that would see him make more than what the Los Angeles Lakers can afford, but it would be irresponsible to not reach out.

Jones finished the 2023-24 regular season averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game. He did all of this while shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc and committing just 1.0 turnover per game.

A nine-year NBA veteran, it was the first time in Jones' career that he averaged at least 1.0 turnover per contest—perhaps the craziest stat in all of the Association.

Jones' assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.35 was the distant No. 1 in the NBA, with Chris Paul checking in at No. 2 at 5.17. He was also one of the most efficient shooters in the Association, which makes him an ideal fit for a Lakers team that ranked No. 24 in three-point field goals made.

If the Lakers can convince Jones to take the taxpayer mid-level exception as a means to improve his 2025 free agency stock by shining in a major market, it would be one of the biggest steals of the summer thus far.

A long shot, but one worth exploring this deep into free agency.