Longtime NBA forward James Jones appears ready to call it a career as a player, and will transition into a front office role in Phoenix. The Suns announced today in a press release that Jones has joined the franchise and has been named vice president of basketball operations.
According to the Suns, Jones will report to general manager Ryan McDonough, who has received a new multiyear contract extension from the franchise. Jones will work alongside McDonough to “oversee all basketball-related matters for the Suns,” per the announcement.
“I would like to thank [team owner] Robert [Sarver] and his partners for extending my agreement with this great franchise,” McDonough said in a statement. “We have laid the foundation for what we hope will become the next championship caliber Suns team. There is still a lot of work to be done to reach our ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Phoenix so we are thrilled to add James Jones to our staff.”
Jones, 36, has played for 14 seasons in the NBA, spending team with the Pacers, Suns, Trail Blazers, Heat, and Cavaliers, appearing in 709 regular-season games and another 148 playoff contests.. Along with LeBron James, Jones has appeared in the last seven NBA Finals. However, a report earlier this month suggested that the veteran forward wouldn’t be returning to the Cavs for the 2017/18 campaign.
Instead, Jones will take his talents to the Suns’ front office, and will look to help McDonough guide a rebuilding organization. Phoenix entered this month mulling the idea of making a big splash in free agency, but watched Blake Griffin re-sign with the Clippers and backed off Paul Millsap, opting instead to focus on developing the team’s young players.
The Suns’ roster currently features a mix of promising youngsters and veteran role players. The club figures to build around players like Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Alan Williams, and Tyler Ulis, with veterans such as Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley not part of the long-term plans. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are also believed to be on the trade block.
I’m glad for Jones but I’ve gotta ask what he’s done to show he’s fit for the job. I mean damn I watch plenty of basketball give me a job lol
But you weren’t court-side watching LeBron play for 7 years in the finals… big difference
Who is to say he didn’t spend a lot of time with coaches and executives learning? He has more exposure to how a team is run than you or I, so he is leaps and bounds more qualified.
He obviously impressed someone, you on the other didn’t. Easier to get a job when you’re not commenting on here from your sisters basement.
Dang you got a lot of backlash for this one lol
lol I know I was being sarcastic. And I’m actually a med school student with a masters and bachelor’s degree on break between my first and second year. What do you do?
LOOOL
I mean when given the chance, he seemed like a NBA caliber player. He just never was given significant minutes. Plus just because someone is a below average NBA player doesn’t necessarily mean he would be a bad Vice President
This narrative that James Jones is some sort of garbage makes no sense. He played 14 years in the league. He was a big part of the Heats 1st season with Lebron when everyone else was out with injuries. Good team defender, hard worker, and is deadly from 3
Jeez he didn’t say he was a basketball executive he was just asking what this guys qualifications are. People can’t seem to understand humor apparently.
Good move Pheonix is see it coming championship 2020
James Jones is very intelligent. He also has a track record with the players association, and people around the game respect him. Hard worker. Great teammate. Spent a lot of time around a lot of great basketball minds. Congrats to him and Phoenix…
I really like what they’re building in Phoenix. Josh Jackson falling to them was lucky b/c he was the perfect fit, and they almost lost their shot at him when they dropped out of the top 3 in the lottery…they need to get rid of Knight and Chandler, get another big, and they could probably use 1 more defensive minded wing, with Dudley being injured…
And who knows? This is a good young core, and now they have James Jones…LeBron is a FA next year lol
Good for champ! Wish the Cavs had the inkling to have picked him up for the FO.
Jones can probably perused clevland, phoniex and the knicks to do a three team trade for Carmelo anthony knicks get eric bledsoe or brandon knight cavs get carmelo phoniex gets cedi osman channing frye who’s contract is expiring and iman shumpert
Please no LeBron in Pheonix LeBron is sooo boring let him go to Lakers or anything else.
I would love to see Drummond or Noel in Pheonix and maybe Kyrie Irving
Pheonix need to trade Bledsoe Knight Dudley and Chandler
Why get LeBron when you can get Andre Drummond? Said literally no one ever
When y’all were busy complaining about LeBron being the Cavs GM, you missed James Jones making all the moves in the shadows
Well deserved, but I didn’t like the Tyson Chicken contract