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interesting, they could use him back there
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2748259
Jones free to sign with Heat on Thursday
By Chris Sheridan
ESPN.com
Eddie Jones is heading back to the Miami Heat, ESPN.com has learned.
Jones agreed Monday on a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up about $300,000 of his $15.7 million salary to gain his freedom from the team with the NBA's worst record. The money lost through the buyout will be made up when he signs for a prorated portion of the NBA minimum.
Jones will clear waivers Thursday morning, after which he can sign with any NBA team.
However, a source close to the situation said Jones has already decided he'll sign with Miami, meaning it is possible he will be in uniform for the defending champs when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.
The 12-year veteran spent five seasons with the Heat before being dealt to the Grizzlies in the five-team trade in the summer of 2005 that sent James Posey, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker to the Heat.
Jones was averaging just 5.6 points in 29 games for the Grizzlies after being a 16.0 scorer over the first dozen years of his career.
Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
interesting, they could use him back there
and old guy who likes to take alot of shots? Y'all sure he's not signing with the spurs?
Now Shaq can ship him out the 3rd time....
how does this help them? there has to be a better SG in the FA or D-league somewhere.
HAHAHA and I would take Stack over Ginobili
Ive always compared Eddie Jones and Finleys careers. both are great jump shooters and above average defenders in the prime but both fail to drive the ball to the basket. Maybe Jones can help the Heat like Fin has the Spurs. But right now I believe Fin is a better player this stage in his career
Eddie Jones is still alive?
NOOOOOO! Miami just got better. !
Is that what people were saying when they signed Steve Smith in 2005?
If Shaq got injured again, it seems pretty transparent that the Heat want to tank the season.
Are you kidding me?
Watch out Eastern Conference!
Eddie : -better overall player
-better D
-much, much better passer
-better ball-handling ; can play the point if called upon
-not an asshole
Maybe but in the clutch I take Stackhouse.
True ; but Miami already has a clutch player (Wade)
Ah you mean he of the clutch freethrows.
In D Wade we trust. The Mav Killer!
I like this pickup by Miami. Eddie Jones can put up decent numbers, but he's marginally inconsistent and probably a little past his prime, however I wouldn't be surprised if playing for a team that is the current defending champion and is more than likely going to make a deep playoff run this season gives him many reasons to step up his game more than when he was with Memphis.
Yeah but you got to wonder if his history with Shaq will affect them. After all Shaq in LA and I suspect in Miami called him out. If things don't improve with Jones how soon will the finger pointing begin? Also Jones will draw the tough defensive assignments. Will he be able to chase around the likes of Arenas,Gordon,Hamilton and James in the playoffs? You know the Heat won't put Wade on them much or at all to avoid foul trouble.
Well if Shaq patched things over with Kobe, anything is possible. If Shaq/Jones fueding is not a factor, this is a good sign by the Heat.
Does this mean they given up on Maggette?
are we talking about stepping up and taking over a game clutch or game-ending shot clutch? he's the former, definitely not the latter
That's got to be the first time anyone's ever written that sentence.
Jones released by Grizzlies
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Guard expected to sign with Heat, not Mavs
By Ronald Tillery
Contact
January 31, 2007
A younger, healthier and wide-eyed Eddie Jones would have relished hanging around to help the Grizzlies' rebuilding project.
But at age 35 and with an illustrious career winding down, Jones knows his odds of winning an NBA championship are getting slimmer. That is why Jones asked for and received a release from the Grizzlies, whose run of three consecutive postseason appearances soon will come to an end.
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They are eyeing Ping-Pong balls instead of the playoffs this season with the NBA's worst record at 12-34.
Jones, meanwhile, will clear waivers Thursday when he is expected to sign with the Miami Heat. Jones chose his former team over the Dallas Mavericks, who visit FedExForum tonight to face the Griz.
Familiarity with the Heat guaranteed playing time, and the lure of home sent Jones back to South Beach. He came close to signing with the Mavericks -- arguably giving Jones his best shot at winning a championship. Despite strong interest from Mavs management, coach Avery Johnson wouldn't make Jones promises about playing time.
"I'm just thankful for the opportunity to go to a winning environment," said Jones, who is in his 13th season. "I don't have anything bad to say about the Grizzlies. I thank them for the year and a half I played for them. I gave them my all and the organization and the fans gave me their all. I'm just moving on."
Jones' buyout with the Grizzlies will pay him the rest of his $15.7 million salary. He agreed to refund the Griz the prorated salary -- nearly $600,000 -- he'll receive from the new contract.
Jones gained his freedom. The Griz maintained their salary cap flexibility for the offseason when Jones' team-high salary comes off the books.
"We thank Eddie for his tremendous contributions during his stay in Memphis," team president Jerry West said in a statement. "He was a consummate professional and we wish him well in his future basketball endeavors. On a personal note, I think he has a bright future in basketball after his playing days are over."
West is in Europe on a scouting mission. He negotiated with Jones over the past month and agreed to waive the guard before departing Monday.
Jones had been plagued by an Achilles injury most of the season. He averaged just 5.6 points in 29 games but emerged as a scoring threat over the past several games.
Jones scored in double-figures in each of his past three games (all starts), averaging 16.3 points on 60-percent shooting overall. He shot 53 percent from 3-point range in that span.
"I feel better every day," Jones said. "I've gotten in better condition. There's no doubt that I feel like I can still play quality minutes in this league."
The Mavs seemed more interested in adding veteran presence to their bench. Jones has maintained that he still can contribute at a high level. He wants to play two more seasons.
"I understand where he's coming from," said point guard Chucky Atkins, one of Jones' closest friends on the Griz. "He feels like he can help take a team to the next level. If I was in his situation, I'd want to do the same thing."
Jones just missed winning a le by one season.
He spent five years with the Heat before being traded to the Griz in a five-team trade during the summer of 2005. Memphis sent Miami James Posey, Jason Williams and Andre Emmett.
The Heat won the NBA crown after beating the Mavs.
Summing up his feelings after negotiating his freedom, Jones offered a succinct response.
"I want to win," Jones said.
Hard to believe that the Mavs wanted him. I guess they really just wanted him for a veteren presence on the bench (replace Ager). I don't see where he'd get any playing time.
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