Free Agent: James Jones

[Pistons < Spurs]

Jones sitting, watching

Restricted free agent James Jones has watched as some of the marquee free agents have agreed to contract terms with teams around the league. He knows his time will come.

"Right now it's all about the major free agents getting their deals," Jones said from his home in Miami. "Once those guys get done, things should pick up for some of us other players. It's not discouraging."

By being a restricted free agent, the Pacers can match any offer made to Jones up to the midlevel exception, which is about $5 million a year. Jones isn't expected to get that high of an offer. Pacers officials have said they want to re-sign Jones.

Jones declined to say which teams have shown interest, but Detroit and San Antonio are believed to like the 6-8 swingman. Jones averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 75 games, including 24 starts, last season.

"The Pacers are a team I want to play for," said Jones, who was a second-round pick in 2003. "They took a chance on me when other teams didn't want to and I'm grateful for that."

[TMSKILZ]

is this that kid out of Mami U?

I believe I saw a story on him before the 2003 draft, he seems talented.

[Pistons < Spurs]

is this that kid out of Mami U?



Yep:

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/jjones_page_0405.html

[temple.of.the.dog]

Jones declined to say which teams have shown interest, but Detroit and San Antonio are believed to like the 6-8 swingman. Jones averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 75 games, including 24 starts, last season.


Good find P<S. He's got a good/average jumper, so/so to bad handles and is a good defender. He'd be be great for either team. The Pacers had alot of depth at the 3/2... now with Reggie gone? And I dont think he can play the 2?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think he may be out in Indy. They're pretty deep at his position now and so he'll slide even further to the end of the bench if he stays. It would be in his best interest to look for a team that can fit him into the rotation.

[TMSKILZ]

Nah, that's not the kid I was thinking about, there was some talented kid out of Mami U called Tim James I believe. He played PF I think, wondered if he got drafted?

[timvp]

This would be a great signing for the Spurs. Seeing as he's a restrictive free agent, I always assumed that the Pacers would match any offer. If there is a way to get this guy, you do it. I've seen him play a lot and he reminds me of a young Stephen Jackson.

He shoots the ball with confidence and has very good size for his position. A great summer would entail the Spurs re-signing Devin, getting Scola with half of the MLE and this guy with the other half.

[Marcus Bryant]

You could do worse. I would expect the Pacers to match any kind of partial MLE offer though.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Give him a offer though, if we get him he be a defensive project to replace BRuce lee

[strangeweather]

Cool. That would be a nice find if we can get him without breaking the bank.

[Pistons < Spurs]

He's a pretty solid player for sure. Would fit in well with either team.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

i just read about this guy, he seems really solid

actually other than resigning g-rob and devin, this guy seems like the first free agent im really excited about.....i really hope we make a good run for him

they need to address their SF problem already dammit

[pooh]

He was absolutely HUGE for the Pacers after the suspensions....

He was "good" not "HUGE" for the Pacers during the suspensions. They all carried the load during the suspensions, which in reality will not "officially" end until the start of the 2005 season, when Artest, Jackson and O'Neal all are on the floor once again.

Jones had a few good games. Mainly it was Reggie, Foster, Anthony Johnson and Fred Jones that "carried" the team until O'Neal and Jackson returned to the line up.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

any updates on this guy??? kori??

jeeze if the spurs don't address the SF problem my c's going to e

[bigbendbruisebrother]

Nah, this guy would never fit Bruce's mold; James is a career 85% free throw shooter.

James' Stats (http://www.82games.com/04IND8A.HTM)

[Marcus Bryant]

If the Spurs signed him to an offer, they'd have to wait 7 days for the Pacers' to match or not.

Something to think about.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

they should at least throw him some money this kid seems like a balla

[Marcus Bryant]

He has some potential but it's not like he's managed to average over 5 points a game (or shoot above 40%) for a full season yet. Maybe the Spurs take a flier on him and give him 2 years starting at $2 mil or so, perhaps with a team option after the 1st year.

They could offer him the opportunity to replace Bowen in the starting lineup eventually if he earned it.

[Kori Ellis]

Now Phoenix is after him and reportedly trying to get a sign-and-trade done with Indy for him.

It will piss me off if they get him for cheap.

[marcus]

Now Phoenix is after him and reportedly trying to get a sign-and-trade done with Indy for him.

It will piss me off if they get him for cheap.

I don't see that happening. The only cheap contracts that Phoenix has to involve in a sign and trade for James are all from players they have just signed.

I still think the spurs should go for Johnson as a priority instead of Jones.

[Solid D]

They would be overstocked wouldn't they? That would be a real boon to the Suns never-the-less.

Here is the article posted earlier showing the options there:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/0818suns0818.html

Phoenix could add Jones regardless of Finley's pick, but the Suns have several wings with Jackson, Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, Scott Padgett and possibly combo guards Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa and rookie Dijon Thompson.

Jones, 24, would have to be acquired in a sign and trade because he wants more than a minimum offer. Phoenix will receive a trade exception, worth as much as $6 million, from Atlanta in the Johnson deal that should close Friday.

The Suns could use the exception for a trade in which they take on as much as $6.1 million more than they send away in contracts. It can be split up but must be used within a year. Phoenix may hold it to see what is available at midseason or next summer.

Jones, 6 feet 8 and 225 pounds, averaged 17.7 minutes, 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds last season after sitting most of his rookie year.

He is a hard worker with a good shot (39.8 percent on three-pointers). He may not have played much last season if not for the suspensions from the Indiana-Detroit brawl. He shoots with slightly less accuracy (39.6 percent) from inside the arc. The Pacers would like Jones back, but can only offer him the $1.67 biannual exception unless they clear salary space with a trade. New York also has interest in him.

[marcus]

"The Suns could use the exception for a trade in which they take on as much as $6.1 million more than they send away in contracts. It can be split up but must be used within a year. Phoenix may hold it to see what is available at midseason or next summer. "

I thought the exception could only used once.
Now that i know it can be split up James deal seems possible for the Suns.

However, in my opnion Phoenix should start thinking about using that exception for Curry. He has a complicated situation in Chicago and maybe with that exception Phoenix could work out something to get him through a sign and trade.

[Kori Ellis]

I don't see that happening. The only cheap contracts that Phoenix has to involve in a sign and trade for James are all from players they have just signed.

I still think the spurs should go for Johnson as a priority instead of Jones.

Phoenix has a trade exception they would use.

Who's Johnson?

[marcus]

Phoenix has a trade exception they would use.

Who's Johnson?

DerMarr from Denver.

I seriously believe he is a great project. Between the years 2002 and 2004 he had several injuries problem which limited his progression but since last year he started to recover.

He was drafted with the 6th pick by New York of the 2000 NBA Draft, he is only 24 years old and he can even play the shooting guard position at 6-9.

[Kori Ellis]

I know who DerMarr Johnson is -- I just didn't know who you were referencing as just "Johnson". I think he has a very questionable work ethic and attitude. At the minimum, I think the Spurs might consider him. But I think there's several other SF's on their wish list ahead of him.

[marcus]

I know who DerMarr Johnson is -- I just didn't know who you were referencing as just "Johnson". I think he has a very questionable work ethic and attitude. At the minimum, I think the Spurs might consider him. But I think there's several other SF's on their wish list ahead of him.

What you said about the work ethic and attitude are some of the things that might scare most teams but not so much the spurs as they know how to treat them well.

Besides, i believe that DerMarr would do anything to get back to his best shape physically.

[Kori Ellis]

What you said about the work ethic and attitude are some of the things that might scare most teams but not so much the spurs as they know how to treat them well.

Actually the Spurs are hesitant about attitude more than any team. They've turned down several good players in the past just for not being the right "mold" of this team. The only reason they risked it with Big Dog was because Don Newman sold them on it.

[marcus]

Actually the Spurs are hesitant about attitude more than any team. They've turned down several good players in the past just for not being the right "mold" of this team. The only reason they risked it with Big Dog was because Don Newman sold them on it.

Signing Glenn Robinson was a very good move. He played quiet well in his 22 games here. He even put some effort to improve his defense, something he didn't care about during his previous 10 nba seasons.

[Taking it to the Hole]

I just want to land JJ for the sake of no other team having him. It seems like every time we are interested in someone, another team comes along and steals him away. It feels like the nice guy, having his girlfriend stolen by the "bad boy". Quite frankly, I'm sick of that always happening to us. We always get screwed!

[BillsCarnage]

Since you all have kept me from being the bearer of bad news (Suns trading for Jones), they have a real good shot of landing him with the S&T. If they miss out on Finley (very likely) they'll go after Jones. I predict him being Marions replacement, based on Marions contract and constant trade rumors.

[T Park]

James Jones replacing Marion???

Go ahead, make the team worse Colangelo.

[Bruno]

Since you all have kept me from being the bearer of bad news (Suns trading for Jones), they have a real good shot of landing him with the S&T. If they miss out on Finley (very likely) they'll go after Jones. I predict him being Marions replacement, based on Marions contract and constant trade rumors.

Suns aren't deeper than last year for the moment, so they need player like Jones. If you can have him for one of the first lotery protected pick from JJ trade and a trade exception in a S&T for a deal of 3 years starting at 2M$, it will be great for your team.

I've heard Suns will sign Rowan Barret as PG (canadian vet playing in France with Sanikidze last year), so maybe you will trade Barbosa if Diaw plays PG with you this year.

[SirChaz]

DeMarr Johnson was with the Suns (last year?) and they cut him.
I don't see him coming back.

Jones would be a nice pickup for the Suns. Not as a replacement for Marion but as his backup at the 3.

[BillsCarnage]

He wouldn't be a backup for Marion yet. He's still young and needs a few years to develop. Marion has been named in so many trade rumors over the past few years, mostly because of his contract.

[Taking it to the Hole]

Fucking Suns.:cuss They just can't resist having something that they know we want. :bang