MEDIA AVAILABILITY: JEFF WELTMAN & TYUS JONES

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: JEFF WELTMAN & TYUS JONES

All right, Jeff. All right, guys. Uh, to start off, you know, we just spoke with one of your free agent acquisitions. You know, what stood out to you about Tai and fitting him into this team’s off seasonason? Um, well, one of our stated goals was to add skill, playmaking, um, shooting obviously, and, um, you know, Taius has, uh, carved a niche for himself. I think he’s led the league in assist turnover ratio for the last six years. You know, he’s a career 38% three-point shooter. I think 41 for the last couple seasons. Um and more than that, you know, just has a leaguewide reputation of being just a stellar person um in the locker room um you know, off the court, in the community, and um I think his leadership will be um uh uh have an impact on our team uh in addition to everything that he’s going to bring to bear on the court. So, we’re really excited to add him. How gratifying is it to know that you got a veteran guard out there who has options, but he wants to come to a place like this that is clearly on the ascent? Yeah, I mean, you know, it’s funny. You know, when we talk about free agency, um I think there’s there’s this whole kind of concept of, oh, the Magic should go get this guy or this team should go get that guy. There are a lot more teams than there are players. And it’s really not who the teams want, it’s who the players want. And so, you know, I’m just very happy that Taius chose us. You know, he had a lot of teams chasing him. Um, you know, I think he saw the fit. Um um and uh I I I think that he understands how he’s going to fit into our into what we’re building here, not just on the court, but off it as well. So, really excited about it. How long has Tus been on your radar and what was that process like talking to him? Uh well, you know, there there’s a finite number of players in this league that that kind of um uh you know, meet the standards that you’re looking to looking for to improve in the areas that you want to improve. And he’s obviously one of the guys that does what we were looking for really well. Um uh you know uh uh obviously it’s it’s our job to you know maintain relationships with agents across the board and you know once free agency started we were able to have good discussions find out that there was a mutual kind of um desire to kind of maybe um you know uh link arms on this one and you know proceeded to uh you know get a deal done as quickly as we could. Yep. Those signing became official like an hour ago. Yeah. Yeah, it seemed like everybody everybody wanted him back. We know how important he is to this organization. Just to get him to commit to coming back to this place. How big was that for you? I I’ll just hearken back to what I said a moment ago. You know, I’m just thankful that Mo chose us. You know, Mo has a lot of options. Um he’s an important part of our team and um the fact that he you know reinvested in us um you know um you know is really um gratifying to us and and you know we we can’t wait to you know continue Mo’s journey you know in a magic uniform and um you know excited to have him back. How important was it to to get a player like Tai as kind of a stabilizer like you mentioned the kind of low the high assist to turnover the good assist to turnover ratio. How important was it to get that kind of a player to complete this picture as as you prepare for the season? Yep. We’re going to find out, you know, I mean, you know, you put it together and it looks good on paper and now that we got to play games, you know, but um you know, the beauty of Taius is like he’s uh he’s next level smart. He’s simple. He’s very concise. He just makes the right play. And um you know there’s no um ego attached to that. There’s no I need to hit a home run attached to that. He just plays good basketball and he he elevates his teammates through those decisions and through the simplicity of his game. So um you know uh I think that he’ll be a great influence on uh us playing good basketball and also the selfless quality of his game will permeate through our team. How about the leadership component he brings to what is still, you know, a pretty young roster. Yeah. Well, you guys just spoke with him, right? Pretty impressive guy. I mean, he he’s uh he’s I think um wise, poised, you know, uh well beyond his years and um I think that’s a welcome addition um when you’re as young as we are. And you know, uh uh we have a very, you know, excitable, emotional team. And I think to have a guy who’s steady and focused and the same guy every night, same guy every possession will go a long way with us with the with the youth of the team and it of improvement that the guys have shown and the pieces that you’ve now added. Does this roster that you put together now for this upcoming season excite you maybe more than any other one you’ve had since you’ve been here? Yeah, Shane. I mean, for for me personally, since I’ve been here, uh I think this roster has uh a chance to do some special things, you know, more so than any other that we’ve had since I’ve been here. So, obviously, again, uh looks good on paper. You know, it’s um it’s the job of our players and our coaches and all of our staff to bring everything we have to bear to get this team as far along as we can. And um the nice thing about the team that I get excited about is it’s still very young and there’s still a lot of growth baked in and so um I look forward to the next few years unfolding but obviously starting right now. Are there been positive progressions and talks with Paulo’s contract commission? Yeah, I won’t get too deep into that but I know you know obviously Paulo has stated publicly that you know he he he loves it here. He loves our fans. He loves organization wants to be a part of things. Obviously, he’s uh tremendously important to what we’re doing. So, um you know, there’s strong interest on both sides to get something done. We we’re we’re in contact with his reps and hopeful to get something done. How excited are you to see what the summer league team is going to do out in Vegas? Yeah, listen, summer league is a great forum for the young guys to just dip their toe in the water. It’ll get a little understanding of of, you know, what NBA basketball is about. You know, I always say like there’s basketball IQ and then there’s NBA IQ. and this is their first uh uh taste of what NBA IQ is about and how it’s different from basketball IQ. So, it’s always great for these guys to go through. It’s a great way to indoctrinate them and give them a little taste of it before they get to camp. Um I don’t put, you know, too much value on it beyond that, but I think it’s an important step for them and it’s a great way for them to understand what our coaches are expecting of them. um develop relationships, develop short hands so that as they go through the summer, go into training camp, they’re not coming in, you know, blind. How much you listen to outside chatter and noise around the league, like the the narrative around the league, is that the magic hit a home run this offseason about players and reported coaching additions. Does that mean to you that the narrative around the league is they’re doing a good job? Uh zero. You know, I don’t have social media. I don’t I don’t tune into that stuff. You know, I always say like we have to run our own race, you know, and um you know, we’re excited about this team in this building and that’s what matters and what really matters is that our players are excited about it, you know. So, um you know, there’s a responsibility that comes with that that we have to live up to now, you know, and um so all of the external noise is going to be what it is. You know, uh you know, we’ll get criticized, we’ll get praised, whatever. That’s going to be what it is. We in this building have to make it work. So to me that’s that’s the most important thing. Okay. Tus you obviously had had choice of destinations. What stood out to you about Orlando and and wanted you to be part of the magic? Yeah, I think just what what they got going on. Um everything’s on the up and up. Um continue to get better each and every day. I think um playing against them year in and year out, you see the camaraderie the team has. You see the togetherness they have. you see um how coach Mo, you know, coaches them um and how they play hard for him. Um you want to be a part of those type of situations and so I’m excited to be here. What stands out to you about the talent that you’re joining Paulo Bronze former teammate and Desmond Bay? Just I know you talked about a little bit of the characteristics, but what do you make of the team that you’re joining? Yeah, I think it’s you know the talent’s through the roof. I think uh this team has everything you need um to win a championship, honestly. And so for me, I just um I think it’s going to be they’re they’re making my job easy. Um not trying to over complicate it. Obviously, everyone knows what P can do. Um everyone knows Fran’s continuing to get better each and every each and every year. Um took a huge step forward last year. Um and then Dez, um bringing, you know, transition scoring, three-point shooting obviously, but um playmaking as well. And so I think all, you know, all the pieces are just gonna, you know, kind of flow together. Um, and I’m just I’m excited to to see it all, you know, kind of come together. Reuniting with Desmond, I know that was a big deal for for both parties, but how special will that be to be back on the court with a guy that you shared so many special memories with? Yeah, it’ll be extremely special. Uh, that’s my brother. U, we keep in contact. Um, since I left Memphis, you know, we still uh keep in touch throughout throughout the season. Um, you know, I’ve been on a couple different teams now, but still, you know, he still checks in on me. I check in on him. Was at his wedding last summer. So, um, that’s that’s my brother. Um, beyond basketball. Um, but getting the chance to to share the court again is is definitely special. We’re going to make the most of it. Um, and we’re we’re looking forward to it. And that chemistry already established, just how important will that be on the court with? Extremely important. Um, you know, it’s going to be like riding a bike. um you know that doesn’t doesn’t go away. Um and we know we know what our chemistry is and and what it can do and and um what what that can bring to the table and and just add to what’s already going on, you know, here in Orlando and uh looking forward to that. You mentioned the talent on the roster, but there’s also a lot of youth. Can you talk about just the leadership qualities you’ll bring? Yeah, just trying to be um I think just just a calming voice. Um it’s crazy going into year 11 now. Um but been around a number of different situations. Um so just trying to bring some of that um experience uh to this locker room. And again, they uh we got everything in this building that we need. Um for me, I’m just trying to add on to that. I’m not trying to disrupt anything. Um I’m trying to just be um a positive addition. So, um, but ultimately as a leader, like that’s that’s what I do, um, on and off the court. Um, that comes with the with the job title as as a point guard. Um, so just trying to get on the same page as everybody, trying to learn learn my guys, um, both on and off the court, uh, learn Coach Moses system and, um, just kind of be an extension of him out there on the court and, you know, but but leading is is what I do and I’m looking forward to kind of being a, you know, a voice in the locker room for sure. you know, who you are as a player, but what do you feel like you’ll add to this this team on on the court? Yeah. Um, I mean, leadership. Um, just just winning traits, trying to play winning basketball. Um, playing, you know, I feel like I play the game the right way, trying to be unselfish, trying to set that tone. Um, that brand of basketball, uh, which they they already play extremely unselfish and together. Uh, so that should be that should be a perfect m uh, match. Um, and then just playm, trying to get my guys involved. Uh, spacing the floor, shooting. Um, trying to make it easier. You know, for P, Fron, Dez, Jay. Um, you know, the more the more shooting the better, the more space they got to operate. So, just trying to keep defenses honest. Um, and again, not over complicate anything. Just trying to do my job, you know, at a high level. Um, and and let let our guys do what they need to do. What is your relationship like with Jaylen Suggs? Uh that’s my little brother. Known Jaylen since, man, he was maybe third, fourth grade. Uh so we got a a tremendous relationship. I’ve always been in his corner. Um always cheering him on and and he’s always been, you know, cheering me on and and been in the gym for me when I was coming up. So, um it’s crazy how how life works and and um it’s it’s a surreal feeling um when you get a chance to not only play against, you know, people you kind of grew up with and and saw grow up and um got to kind of see their journey firsthand, uh but then when you get to share the court with them and and be in the locker room and and and be on the same team, uh that’s a whole different type of feeling. So, I’m I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited. Our families are excited about it. Um, and so we know it’ll be it’ll be something special. You’ve mentioned coach Moses a couple times. Just from afar now meeting him, what are your impressions of who he is as a coach? Yeah, just just great great guy first and foremost. Um, family man. Um, but just tough hard-nosed uh worker. U, we were already already been talking um, you know, just talking hoops, talking basketball, talking spacing, talking different actions. Um, and so that that has been um something that I enjoy. But you can just tell he’s he’s working. He’s he’s watching film. He’s he’s studying the game. He’s trying to continue to improve, you know, himself as a coach, but as you know, he he wants the team to improve as well. So, um, again, going back to having played against them the last few years, you see how the guys play for him and want to compete for him and and follow his um his leadership. And so, that’s what I’m excited about. How much of an emphasis was it for you and free agency to go to a team that is vying for a championship? Uh big emphasis. And how do you feel about the uh like do you think that they can take that next step and how and how do you work your way into that? 100%. Um I think again they’ve continue to get better year in and year out. Um done it organically, not skip steps, not um you know shi away from the process. Um, but yeah, I think I think we we got all the pieces that are needed to compete for a championship. Um, it’s just about coming together and continuing to keep that that big goal in mind. Um, and continue to get better uh throughout the whole season. Not get bored with with the process, not get bored with um success, you know, honestly. You know, the season’s it’s a it’s a grind. It’s a long season. A lot of ups and downs, um injuries, um illnesses, like there’s so many things that get thrown at you. But um in the end the more to the most together team uh you know always comes out on top. So that’s just something that again I’ve noticed from the outside looking in that this team has the camaraderie, the togetherness, how they play together, how they play hard. Um and so that’s you know what was why I wanted to to be a part of it.

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