James Jones takes a front office position with Phoenix Suns
Cleveland Cavaliers free agent James Jones has taken a front office position with the Phoenix Suns.
According to an official press release from the Phoenix Suns, James Jones has agreed to become the team’s new vice president of basketball operations. Jones will report to general manager Ryan McDonough, who reached a contract extension with the Suns. Jones has spent the past three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his 14-year career, Jones also spent four seasons playing beside LeBron James with the Miami Heat.
Essentially, while the media and fans alike have praised James for leading his teams to seven straight NBA Finals appearances, a record only bested by the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s, Jones has been there the whole way. While James has been Bill Russell, Jones has been K.C. Jones.
Jones, who James called the Nostradamus of the team
“He’s seen it all, he’s been through it all, he’s played in it”.
“His knowledge of the game is huge for our team”.
These are compliments coming from the best basketball player in the world, who has been the best for the past decade. A player who is one of the most brilliant basketball minds the world has ever seen. A player with natural basketball gifts and a photographic memory that makes him one of the most cerebral players to grace the court.
Compliments echoed by McDonough:
"“James has a wealth of experiences that will greatly benefit our organization. He is a three-time NBA Champion and has been one of the top executives with the National Basketball Players Association over the past few years. We welcome ‘Champ’ and his family to our Phoenix Suns family.”"
With that said, Jones is well-regarded throughout the NBA and not only a high basketball IQ himself but he’s also wise enough not to believe in media-created myths like “flipping the switch”, a phrase not used to describe a team that defy all odds to win it all but a team that could suddenly sweep bad habits and their defensive ineptitude under the rug to beat a team that’s been in the conversation for the best in NBA history. He’s the ideal realist for a young team like the Suns, a team that needs direction and to learn from players with championship pedigree.
The Suns may have gotten a call from Cleveland Cavaliers former general manager David Griffin on Jones. Griffin spent 17 seasons with the Suns organization, with the last three coming as the franchise’s vice president of basketball operations. Griffin is also well-regarded throughout the NBA and with so much time spent with the Suns, it’s not out of the realm of possibility he put in a good word for “Champ”.
With that said, Jones certainly won’t be returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who will miss his locker room leadership and basketball knowledge. Going forward, Jones’ spot on the depth chart will most likely be occupied by rookie small forward Cedi Osman.