Republic: Deal eases Jones' pain

[George O'Brien]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0901suns0901.html

Deal eases Jones' pain
Suns sign veteran swingman to one-year contract to seemingly finalize roster

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 1, 2006 12:00 AM


Jumaine Jones has been battered. He has the lump on his noggin from a knee that whacked him three years ago. He walked into US Airways Center on Thursday hobbling with a sprained right ankle bandaged. And frustrating free-agency talks peppered him with punches to the gut in July.

Still standing, Jones found his way to Phoenix and offered a few smiles Thursday, when he signed a one-year, $998,967 contract with the Suns.

"I feel like this was the best situation for me," the seven-year swingman said. "It all worked out for the best."

With Jones coming off a career-best 10.5 scoring average in Charlotte, his former agent David Lee sought a big deal when negotiations opened July 1. Hopes for a multi-year deal averaging $4 million took interested clubs like Phoenix out of the mix.

Jones later switched agents to Merle Scott and narrowed his options between playing for the minimum in Phoenix or $1.5 million (tax free) with European power Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"This is probably the only team I'd take the amount of money I did to come and play with," said Jones, who can slide to power forward at times.

Jones is convincing in his assertion that joining Phoenix was just as much about playing on a title contender. He has been on losing teams ever since playing with Raja Bell on Philadelphia's 2001 NBA Finals team.

It meant less money and it could mean fewer minutes to be here, but he acknowledges the stay could make him more marketable next summer. After five teams in seven years, Jones also said he hopes he has found a place to call home.

"I think the things that the coaches are most excited about was his ability to shoot the three on the run, someone who plays at our pace well and someone who is willing to mix it up defensively," Suns Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said. "The thing that's most exciting about Jumaine is his acceptance of the role right off the bat."

Jones, who started 42 games last season, plans to be more assertive with his actions.

"I'm the kind of guy that's going to go in and work hard and compete," he said. "I'm the kind of guy who really believes in putting the pressure on the coaches. I'm going to come in and do the things I need to do and put the pressure on him and let him determine how long I play."

Jones gives Phoenix 13 guaranteed player contracts.

"There's a real likelihood that this is our team and we're real excited about that," Griffin said. "We've checked most of our needs off our list."

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't know how much the deal eased Jones' pain, but it sure made me feel better.

I liked the acqusition of Banks but, IMO, Jumaine was the only other addition that appears noteworthy.

I'm just sitting here talking to myself.

How did I get here?

Where did I cross the line?

Where is everybody?

What am I adding?

Nothing.