Will the James Jones Deal Happen Soon?

[George O'Brien]

Or perhaps, if at all.

I'll admit I could not remember much if anything being said about James Jones until his name cropped up a few weeks. Since is overall stats aren't that impressive, 4.5 ppg on just 39.6% shooting and 2.3 rpg in 17.7 minutes; that's nothing to get excited about. The one thing that does attract attention is his 39.6% three point percentage including 10 of 25 in the playoffs.

Sometimes stats are deceptive. Some backup players put up good numbers for short periods but the numbers drop off when they play more (Jake Voskuhl has a deceptively high rebounds per minute stat). Some guys put up better percentage or per minute numbers when they play more (Jimmy Jackson is a great example).

Jones is a guy who backed up Ron Artest until after Artest was suspended after the Nov 19 brawl. Following the suspension, Jones went from playing time in the teens to games of over 40 minutes. However, in late Dec and early Jan his offensive stats fell off the table and he was replaced in the lineup by someone named Michael Curry. (who?).

Curiously enough, he was back in the starting lineup on Jan 14 when they beat the Suns in Indianapolis and held the Suns to just 83 points on a night that Richardson went 0-11. On Jan 26 Stephen Jackson returned to the starting lineup.

Jones had some very good games statistically but also some games with minimal stats. Big games included:

Nov 23 against the Celtics 44 minutes, 8-15 includin 4 of 6 for three and 10 rebounds

Nov 25 against the Wolves 38 minutes, 5-8 including 3 of 5 for three and 6 rebounds

Nov 28 against the Sonics 44 minutes, 10-14 including 6-9 for three and 6 rebounds

Dec 1 against clippers 5 of 11 for three and 7 rebounds

After that, he had numerous games with minimal stats. His best games would be in the playoffs such as his Apr 30 game against the Celtics when he grabbed 9 rebounds and went 3 of 5 for three and May 15 when he had 6 rebounds against the Pistons.

Jones might very well be the type of player who would thrive in the Suns system, but he had a lot of games where he didn't do much on the stat sheet. I get the impression that he is a fairly good defender but lacks a mid range game and his overall shooting suffers. Teams figured out they had to guard him beyond the arc and he stopped getting open shots.

I think a deal is feasible, and as long as the price is right he could be a nice pickup.

 

[coloradosun]

As much as I see the benefit of adding Finley, my preferences are beginning to support trading for Jones. I would rather have a guy that still has a lot of potential on board than someone at the end of his career. Jim Jackson is that guy on the team now and he can at least give some minutes at point guard, Finley can't. Jones shot 53% from 3pt range during the first round of the playoffs, I think that is a preview of his shooting potential.

 

[Mainstreet]

As much as I see the benefit of adding Finley, my preferences are beginning to support trading for Jones. I would rather have a guy that still has a lot of potential on board than someone at the end of his career. Jim Jackson is that guy on the team now and he can at least give some minutes at point guard, Finley can't. Jones shot 53% from 3pt range during the first round of the playoffs, I think that is a preview of his shooting potential.

I can see why you are conflicted.

IMO, if Finley signs with Phoenix, he still has star qualities and can start at SG (although certainly his skills are beginng to diminish). However, if one factors in that he was injured last year and can be had for the minimum, I think it is a no-brainer. Also if healthy, I think Finley has 2-3 good years left in the tank.

He also still leaves Phoenix with all their trading pieces including the ability to acquire James Jones (if he is a piece Phoenix really desires).

 

[PrimeTime]

I'd rather a proven player over someone with potential anyday. I really hope finley chooses here. Jones is a risky gamble. Too inconsistant to know for sure that he will pan out.

 

[corrado]

Jones

It seems like most on this board feel Jones is a foregone conclusion but from what I read unless someone grossly overpays for him, Bird has said on numerous occasions that he will match any offer that he gets.

 

[Mainstreet]

It seems like most on this board feel Jones is a foregone conclusion but from what I read unless someone grossly overpays for him, Bird has said on numerous occasions that he will match any offer that he gets.

I've always thought acquiring Jones was a sign and trade proposition for Phoenix and in fact that would be the only way they would be able to acquire him. This would be similar to how Atlanta acquired JJ, except I would only hope Phoenix uses only a small part of the trade exception and perhaps a second round draft pick or two to get it done.

Frankly, I don't remember ever having seen Jones play.

 

[George O'Brien]

HoopsHype lists Jones at 6-8" 225 "Excellent leaping ability... Good rebounding and shot blocking skills... Runs the floor well... Good shooter"

For someone considered a leaper, his overall rebounding stats were very weak although he had some big rebounding games. This is a part of his game I'd like to know more about.

 

[Dan H]

HoopsHype lists Jones at 6-8" 225 "Excellent leaping ability... Good rebounding and shot blocking skills... Runs the floor well... Good shooter"

For someone considered a leaper, his overall rebounding stats were very weak although he had some big rebounding games. This is a part of his game I'd like to know more about.

Per minute he's a similar rebounder to Joe Johnson.

When he got starter's minutes he pulled down around 6 RPG. Which isn't bad for small forwards not named Marion. . .

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I definitely think he is the type of player that would thrive in Phoenix. I also think that he would be a great backup to Marion, the first one in a long long time.

I don't see the reasoning for it if we get Finley though, unless of course we trade Jackson. However, I would rather have Jackson than Finley anyways.

 

[Gaddabout]

This kid sounds like someone who needs a role on a team that doesn't need a savior.

 

[Dustbuster]

News out of Indy has been that they can't really sign him, as they are already into luxury tax territory. They are more interested in getting a pick or two out of him and sending him our of their conference. I think that works fine for us in both ways.

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm with Andy on this one. If Michael Finley signs here I don't see why the Phoenix Suns would give up a first-round draft pick for James Jones (I do believe it's going to take a first-round draft pick to get him). Without Michael Finley I wouldn't be heartbroken if they gave up their own first-round draft pick next summer. Of course it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they parted with that Boston/LA Lakers pick for him with or without Michael Finley.

Joe Mama

 

[The Commish]

My guess is that a deal is probably worked out, but they are just waiting to see what happens with Finley.

 

[Folster]

I do not know much about James Jones besides from what has been stated on this board. I'm not sure he is worth the Lakers/Boston pick. He may be worth our pick if it's a late first rounder. I will say that if our pick is given their should definitely be lotto protection on it because you never know what might happen. God forbid Amare goes down and we pull a San Antonio and end up getting a good pick and have to give it up.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I do not know much about James Jones besides from what has been stated on this board. I'm not sure he is worth the Lakers/Boston pick. He may be worth our pick if it's a late first rounder. I will say that if our pick is given their should definitely be lotto protection on it because you never know what might happen. God forbid Amare goes down and we pull a San Antonio and end up getting a good pick and have to give it up.

God Forbid, we pull an Otis Thorpe-esque deal.. That would be disasterous.

I think Jones has potential to be another Johnson, however being he's still unproven, I'd put a whole lot of provisions on whatever pick we throw their direction.

 

[George O'Brien]

News out of Indy has been that they can't really sign him, as they are already into luxury tax territory. They are more interested in getting a pick or two out of him and sending him our of their conference. I think that works fine for us in both ways.

That's my read on it. I can't see how the Pacers can demand a lot since they are faced with:

1. Sign him and he costs double due to luxury tax.
2. Let him sign somewhere else and get nothing.
3. Do and sign and trade with the Suns to get him out of their conference, pick a trade exemption, and pick up a minor draft pick.

No one else is going to do a sign and trade without returning players. The teams with cap exemption space done need to do a sign and trade.

It's an interesting situation. Who is best at bluffing?

 

[sunsfn]

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James Jones
Pacers
Knicks?
Suns?
Another JJ in Phoenix?
Aug 18 - While the Suns' priority is Michael Finley, the team is also interested in the Pacers' restricted free agent, James Jones, reports the Arizona Republic. Jones, 24, averaged 17.7 minutes, 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds last season and, according to New York papers, has interest from the Knicks as well.The Suns would have to acquire him via a sign and trade because Jones wants more than a minimum offer. Phoenix will receive a trade exception, worth as much as $6 million, from Atlanta in the potential Joe Johnson deal.

---------------------------------
Is this guy worth more than a part of the trade exception and a 2nd round pick?

I do not think that they give a 1st round pick for a guy 2 years in the league and is not getting significant minutes. If they give a 1st, they would have to think he has great potential. One would think that Indiana would have made him a priority if he was that good.

 

[sunsfn]

The Kings picked up Jason Hart from Charlotte for a 2nd round pick.
He has a two year contract for 3.5 mil.
He averaged about 25 minutes a game with 5 assists and 9.5 points.
He is 27 years old and is an excellent backup point guard.


http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_hart/index.html?nav=page

Maybe the suns did not have a chance to get this guy, but this guy is a good player. They may need someone like him before they need Jones.

Maybe the suns think Diaw can be their backup point along with Barbosa.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The Kings picked up Jason Hart from Charlotte for a 2nd round pick.
He has a two year contract for 3.5 mil.
He averaged about 25 minutes a game with 5 assists and 9.5 points.
He is 27 years old and is an excellent backup point guard.


http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_hart/index.html?nav=page

Maybe the suns did not have a chance to get this guy, but this guy is a good player. They may need someone like him before they need Jones.

Maybe the suns think Diaw can be their backup point along with Barbosa.

I have been quoted on here several times saying that the biggest mistake the Suns made was not aquiring Hart.

The real reason they didn't do it probably has to do with expecting JJ back. The trade was made the same day we dealt Jake to Charlotte, and at that time we were still thinking Joe was coming back.

I can understand why they wouldn't want another backup PG since that was Joe's role, and we added some depth with Bell at SG.

 

[George O'Brien]

To do a sign and trade requires cooperation from the player as well as the other team. Jones may be shopping and he may be concerned that if the Suns sign Finley, Jones would be buried too deep on the bench to ever get playing time.