Tyus Jones
The best player on this list is Tyus Jones; Butler’s former teammate back with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, this is a much improved player since those Wolves days years ago. Jones is coming off a career-year, where he averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 48.9% shooting and 41.4% from 3-point range.
He is at a nice age of 27 years old, about to hit the beginning of his prime and still getting better. This would be a legitimate addition to Miami’s backcourt depth off the bench as the backup point guard to Terry Rozier. Jones is also expected to garner offers from teams in need of a starting point guard.
Jones is set to be an unrestricted free agent and has the choice to sign with any team of his liking. The only issue comes with his potential price tag. The Heat are hard capped and into the second apron, making it only possible as is to bring Butler’s former Wolves teammate in Jones aboard for the minimum.
If Pat Riley decides a player like him is a piece he would like to target, there is always the possibility of shedding salary beforehand to make room for the mid-level exception. Even so, that would only be if Jones is open to taking a slight pay cut to join a Heat team with championship aspirations.