Heat forward James Jones is shooting for a return in about four weeks from surgery on his right wrist after his cast was removed Tuesday.

''I'm taking a huge step,'' Jones said Wednesday.

Jones participated in noncontact drills Wednesday and said he should be back in eight weeks.

''I'm pain-free,'' Jones said. ``This is the first time I've been pain-free shooting in like three months. For me it's a weight off my shoulders.''

Jones said he is shooting mostly from midrange and is wearing tape and a brace on his wrist as he works his way back.

Was he hitting shots?

''Of course!'' he said. ``That's what I do.''

Jones underwent surgery Oct. 18 to repair a ruptured tendon. The same wrist was injured in late July during a pickup game.

(miamiherald.com)

MIAMI - Pop goes the season?

With two weeks to go before the season opener, that might be a stretch for the Miami Heat.

But when it comes to the team's 3-point shooting, it certainly left Erik Spoelstra's team with a sinking feeling.

The Heat announced today that 3-point specialist James Jones is expected to be sidelined for three months after rupturing a tendon in his right wrist, with surgery scheduled for Saturday.

"Just flexing my wrist, it popped," the team's prime offseason free-agent acquisition said of the moment Wednesday that will sideline him for the first half of the season.

Signed away from the Portland Trail Blazers in the offseason to help fill the 3-point shooting void the Heat has endured since the free-agent departures of Jason Kapono and James Posey in 2007, Jones had been out since the start of training camp with what was listed as a sprained right wrist.

The 6-foot-8 forward thought he had turned the corner with a recent return to practice.

Instead, Spoelstra said an examination showed the tendon was "shredded."

"We thought it was something that we could maintain during the season," the first-year coach said.

For Jones, it is a crushing blow to what was anticipated as a triumphant homecoming for the University of Miami graduate and Miami Lakes resident.

"Just imagine someone punching you in your stomach as hard as they can," he said.

To the Heat, it is just as staggering a moment. The Heat not only is shooting just 24.1 percent on 3-pointers amid its 0-3 preseason, but fallback option Daequan Cook is 2 of 14 from beyond the arc.

"Without James, we can get open jump shots from about 20 feet," said Spoelstra, with it unclear whether that would provide the needed spacing for Dwyane Wade to be able to attack the rim and Michael Beasley to utilize his post-up game.

Asked if the team would seek a replacement 3-point specialist, Spoelstra said, "I don't know. That's something we'll talk about the next few days."

Among outside options could be the low-cost likes of a Damon Jones, revisiting camp-cut Matt Walsh, or a bigger trade, having in the offseason investigated Ben Gordon when he was a free agent.

Beyond Cook, Spoelstra said he felt the team could get 3-point contributions from defensive specialist Yakhouba Diawara and point guard Chris Quinn,

But no one on the roster presents the 3-point pedigree of Jones, who finished third in the league last season at 44.4 percent, behind only Kapono and Steve Nash.

Cook, who is coming off offseason shoulder surgery, said he believes he can step up to the challenge.

"That's one of the reasons I'm on this team," he said.

Cook said his preseason 3-point percentage is deceiving because he opened camp wearing a protective pad on his left shoulder, which he since has discarded.

"It affected it a lot," the second-year guard said. "At one point and time I didn't have full motion."

For Jones, a debut with his hometown team will come later rather than sooner.

"I felt like I was turning the corner. It felt like I was in the homestretch and trying to get my feet underneath me, get my conditioning and my wind up," he said. "I felt like I finally started to see some daylight, and once again the clouds came and here I am."

The Heat is 0-3 this preseason with its next exhibition Saturday in Jacksonville against the Orlando Magic.

(sun-sentinel.com)

UNITED STATES-BASED sports and entertainment events producer Craig Skilling has not given up on his dream of hosting a largescale NBA-type event in Barbados.

And, in that vein, he has brought another NBA player to the island to ensure his dream becomes a reality.

In an effort to sell the idea of "the NBA in Barbados", Miami Heat forward James Jones has spent the last week in the country trying to formulate ties with corporate entities across the island.

Just last month, Skilling secured the services of starting Houston Rockets' point guard, Rafer Alston and Wali Jones, a scout with the Heat, to stage the Barbados Celebrity Basketball Charity Weekend.

But the weekend's activities were reduced to a mere coaching clinic – conducted by Wali Jones and Alston – for the island's top junior basketballers due to the lack of sponsorship.

However, Skilling, despite the initial discouraging responses, will continue to woo corporate Barbados with the help of James Jones before he returns to the island sometime next year to host another basketball-based event.

Only this time, with the help of Jones, Skilling expects to co-ordinate an event of a larger kind.

And so far, according to Jones, their efforts have been relatively successful, garnering the support of STARCOM NETWORK and the Barbados Olympic Association along with some approving nods from leading corporate entities.

Scholarship
Skilling's visit in July led to the recruitment of Combermere student Kregg Jones to an American team on the high-profiled Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) league. That then resulted in the 6-foot 6-inch Lumber Company Lakers forward/centre getting a scholarship offer from a United States-based prep school.

And Jones, who is married to Barbadian national Destiny Jones, sees further opportunities for more of Barbados' home grown talent. He believes the country has the infrastructure to develop into a regional scouting hub for overseas-based coaches and scouts in search of foreign players.

"The goal is to grow basketball here and expose the players," said the Heat sharp shooter, who had previous stints with the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and most recently the Portland Trailblazers.

"I came down last summer, played with some of the guys and was amazed by the talent . . . I mean guys 16, 17 (years old) giving me a run for my money."

(nationnews.com)

MIAMI (AP) - Throughout his NBA career, James Jones has always thought of the Miami Heat as his team.
And now, it finally is.

The South Florida native signed a five-year contract on Wednesday with the Heat, one that'll pay him $4 million next season and could be worth more than $23 million over the life of the deal. He had other offers, including one from the Detroit Pistons that tempted him, but ultimately Jones wanted to come home.

"For me, it's like coming full circle," Jones said. "I'm from the city. I spend all my time here and when the Heat hurt, even when I'm on another team, I still feel that pain. ... So for me, the interest from my hometown team superseded and outweighed all the other positives and pluses of the different cities, especially Detroit, that were looking for my services."

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel first reported terms of the agreement, including a clause that makes the final three years conditional - which ensures that Miami can still have maximum spending capability during the free agent summer of 2010, the year that Dwayne Wade can opt out of his Heat contract.

Jones, who played at the University of Miami and has been with Indiana, Phoenix and Portland in his NBA career, is a 3-point specialist, and that's an area where the Heat clearly need an upgrade.

Jones shot a career-best 44 percent from 3-point range last season. The Heat, as a team, shot 36 percent from beyond the arc a year ago.

"Everyone knows I can shoot," said Jones, who got his deal done on the first day of this year's free-agent signing period. "I love to shoot. That's what I do. I try not to step on any toes, not try to do too much, but just do what I do well, which is make shots."

It's unclear where exactly Jones will fit into the Heat rotation next season.

Miami drafted Michael Beasley, who'll likely play some minutes at both forward positions. The Heat have a contract offer pending with restricted free agent forward Dorell Wright, and still have small forward Shawn Marion and power forward Udonis Haslem - both of whom have been mentioned as possible trade candidates. Plus, the Heat will likely still seek some help at point guard (besides rookie Mario Chalmers) and center.

"We're trying to develop and build our bench," Heat president Pat Riley said earlier this week. "I think we have to build our depth right now, first. I think that's the first priority before you make a big move."

For his part, Jones doesn't care what role he plays, as long as he gets the chance to help the Heat erase the sting of last year's dreadful, injury-plagued 15-67 season.

"If that means coming off the bench, if that means starting, if that means taking 10 shots, if that means taking one shot, for me, it's about being efficient and winning games," Jones said. "Coming here, I don't have any expectations about what position or which role I'll play. All I'm looking for is the opportunity to compete." 

(kval.com)

Exploring possible alternatives to Ricky Davis, the Heat spoke with the agents of James Jones.

Undrafted former UM center Anthony King auditioned for the Heat the past few days.


(miamiherald.com)

AUBURN HILLS -- Nobody should be overwrought about not hearing the Pistons mentioned in connection with some of the top-tier free agents.

President Joe Dumars has made it clear the preferred tool for any roster changing this summer will be trades. To that end, he needs to keep his roster and payroll as flexible as possible.

Already, there are 10 players with guaranteed contracts for next season, plus second-round pick Walter Sharpe, restricted free agent Walter Herrmann and free agents Lindsey Hunter and Theo Ratliff, both of whom are expected to be re-signed.

As it stands, the Pistons could be some $10 million below the luxury tax threshold, giving them ample maneuverability. They are above the salary cap, so they can use their mid-level ($5.8 to $6 million) and veterans ($2 million) exceptions and sign Hunter and Ratliff and still bring in another free agent.

But Dumars has said he doesn't plan giving the full mid-level to one player. That would seem to rule out a player such as forward James Posey, whom the Pistons did have an interest in.

There are at least three wing scorers on the Pistons' free-agent shopping list:
• Mickael Pietrus, 26, who is entering his sixth season. He has started on and off for the Warriors.

• James Jones, 27, a 6-foot-8 perimeter scorer, who averaged eight points for the Trail Blazers last season. He is entering his sixth season but has 44 playoff games under his belt with the Pacers and Suns.

• C.J. Miles, 21, who has spent the last three years with the Jazz. He is a player Pistons coach Michael Curry became fond of during his days overseeing the Development League.

Of those three, Jones seems the most likely to be signed. Pietrus made nearly $4 million last year with the Warriors and will look for the full mid-level. The Jazz made a qualifying offer to Miles, giving them the right to match any offer.

Plus, Jones is a guy the Pistons have liked for a while.

He has tremendous range on the offensive end, plus he is a long-armed defender capable of defending the basket and clogging passing lanes.

But again, Dumars is looking for depth on the free-agent market, not a major impact player.

Free agents can begin signing July 9, but Dumars isn't on any rigid deadline.

The actual NBA trade deadline isn't until late February.

(detnews.com)

The Blazers may not re-sign free agent James Jones, because his agent is seeking a contract in the range of 5 years and $25 million.
The Blazers just locked up sharp-shooting guard Rudy Fernandez, so there isn't much incentive to invest $25 million in a role player with a sore left knee (Jones missed 34 games with the injury last season, but claims he is healthy now). Furthermore, GM Kevin Pritchard said he really likes the current roster, and any free agent would have to "knock [the Blazers] socks off" to get signed.

(rotoworld.com)

James Jones on Thursday said he has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Trail Blazers next season, hours after he decided to become an unrestricted free agent by not exercising the player-in option in his contract with Portland.

Jones, who could have made $3.1 million this season, said he is anxious to test the free agent market and determine what his worth is around the league. In the course of that exploration, he said he will keep his door open to the Blazers.

"This was a tough decision,'' Jones said from Miami, where he had just landed after a vacation in the Bahamas. "But I'm definitely open to coming back to the Blazers, without a doubt. I would put it at 50-50; I would love to return there, but it would have to be under circumstances that are scripted perfectly. And that's left to be seen.''

Jones, who turns 28 in October, was hesitant to reveal what his perfectly scripted scenario would have to include. He said he wanted a "fair" contract, but added that he doesn't have a preconceived idea regarding a dollar amount or length of contract, and that he wanted to be on a team where he was "valued".

"I just want a fair deal,'' Jones said. "I won't throw anything out there because every organization's sentiment can differ. I want to be where I'm appreciated and valued.''

Jones said he felt he was valued by the Portland organization.

"There's no doubt about that, and that's why I have such an affinity for Portland,'' Jones said.

The crux of Jones' free agency lies in his desire to secure a long-term deal, or at least a deal longer than one season. If he is to land a long-term deal, he will almost certainly have to prove he has recovered from a sore left knee, which caused him to miss 24 games last season - a 12-game stint at the beginning of the season and a 12-game stint before the All-Star break.

"My knee feels great,'' Jones said. "I've had time to strengthen it, which was the biggest part of the ordeal last season. But for the past month I have been training, playing, riding my bike ... there is no pain.''

Jones said he hasn't identified any teams that he would like to play for next season.

"There is going to be a lot of activity in the draft, where established teams are looking to add, and young teams getting better ... I would like to sift through that and see what is best for me. But I feel I'm a good fit for any team that needs a shooter.''

Jones had the NBA's third best three-point percentage last season, making 44.4 percent while averaging 8.0 points. Perhaps more importantly, he became the sage of the team, often mentoring players like Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack, while also providing savvy and clutch plays on the court. When Jones played 24 or more minutes last season, the Blazers were 21-6.

With Jones becoming a free agent, the Blazers have 12 players, plus Rudy Fernandez, under contract. Where that number will stand after tonight's draft, and what the Blazers' roster looks like after tonight, will be under the watchful eye of Jones.

"I've always been a guy to take one step at a time,'' Jones said. "Right now, this is a decision I feel good with; it was a tough decision, but I feel good with it. Now, I will see what teams do in the draft, and then I will get a gauge for my value in free agency. Then we will go from there.

"Hopefully, I'll land back in the Black-and-Red. I felt like I was able to grow as a player in Portland. I really want to thank the Portland family - Nate, the players _ for allowing me to do that.''

(blog.oregonlive.com)

James Jones, the Trail Blazers sharp-shooter and locker room leader, did not exercise the player-in option in his contract and has become a free agent, the Blazers said Thursday morning.

Jones had until midnight this morning to decide whether to exercise the option, which would have kept him in a Blazers uniform for the 2008-2009 while paying him just more than $3.1 million.

Jones will now test the free agent market and can begin negotiating with other teams on July 1. He can still sign with the Blazers.

Jones, who turns 28 in October, played in 58 games last season and averaged 8.0 points and finished third in the NBA in three-point percentage (44.4). His 91 three-pointers were third highest on the Blazers (Webster 123, Blake 121).

But shooting was only part of the story with Jones. He was a strong presence in the locker room and displayed a veteran savvy on the court that often produced subtle, game-changing plays. The Blazers were 21-6 when he played more than 24 minutes in a game.

But therein lies the problem: Jones was healthy enough to play 24 or more minutes only 27 times. He battled a balky left knee from Day One in training camp. The knee problem - which was never pinpointed, and only described as a bone bruise - caused him to miss two stints: 12 games the first month of the season and 12 games leading up and just beyond the All-Star break.

The Blazers now have 12 players under contract, NOT counting Spaniard Rudy Fernandez, who is expected to be under contract shortly. The maximum is 15.

(blog.oregonlive.com)

The countdown is on for James Jones.

The Trail Blazers' small forward has until June 25, the day before the NBA draft, to decide whether or not to exercise a $3.2 million player option that would keep him in Portland for at least one more season. If he opts out, Jones would become a free agent.

Reached by phone Monday in Miami, Jones said was still weighing his options and did not plan on making a decision until the NBA Finals conclude and his deadline approaches.

"I was a finance major in college and in business you don't make decisions until you absolutely have to," Jones said. "I'll wait all the way up to the 25th to make a decision."

Jones said there are "many factors" involved in his decision, but he did not elaborate on what those factors were. It would seem that Jones is wrestling the prospect of landing a long-term deal against his strong desire to remain in Portland.

At the end of the Blazers' season, Jones said he loved playing in Portland, liked the direction the organization was headed and felt comfortable with his role on the team. On the court, Jones was among the NBA's three-point shooting percentage leaders for most of the season and drew regular praise from coach Nate McMillan because of the experience and "know-how" he brought to the game. Jones averaged 8.0 points and 2.8 rebounds and shot 44.4 percent from three-point range last season.

Off the court, Jones developed into an important leader in the locker room, offering a positive and calming presence on the league's youngest team.

However, he also played with a balky left knee throughout the season that limited him to 58 games. After taking an extended break this offseason, Jones said on Monday that he resumed physical and basketball activities (riding a bike, running, shooting and jumping) about three weeks ago and that his knee "felt good."

The Blazers traded for Jones on draft day last season and he said the team's promise and potential for success in the future make it an alluring team. He even mentioned that he would like to retire as a Blazer.

"It's about growth," Jones said. "The pieces are there for every player on the team to grow in some aspect of basketball. The mentality in this game, the goal, is to play a long time and be successful. And to do that you have to grow. Portland definitely provides a spot for extreme growth. We'll see. Hopefully, I can retire in the black and red."

But even if Jones exercises his player option that is not a guarantee. General Manager Kevin Pritchard would not comment on Jones' contract status or on the possibility of signing the 6-foot-8 forward to a multi-year deal. Those decisions, Pritchard said, would be addressed after Jones informs the team about his option.

Pritchard did, however, credit Jones' experience and leadership abilities.

"You always look at that," Pritchard said. "On the court, this is what he brought to the team. In life in general, you have to kind of have some life experiences. He's been around the league and he's been with some good teams. There's a lot of value in that.

If Jones opts out, he likely would do so to pursue a multi-year contract.

"I've been thinking about it and it's hard to say," Jones said. "Of course, I want the security of a long-term deal. But I've also experienced something in Portland that I haven't in other places. It's one of those things where I'd like to have long-term security but there are so many other factors involved and I can't say which one will tip my decision."

Jones has nine days remaining before he must decide his future with the Blazers and it appears he will use all nine days to make up his mind.

"I'll wait to the 11th hour; suspense will build," Jones said, laughing. "At the end of the day, I'm confident everything is going to work out.

(blog.oregonlive.com)

I caught up with James Jones today to see if he and his agent, Joel Bell, have had any preliminary talks about his player option situation, and found out that the situation is pretty much unchanged from the season's end.

Jones is relaxing with his family at his home in Miami and getting ready for a trip to Hawaii early next month. He said he probably will not discuss whether to activate the option on his contract until after the NBA Finals are completed next month because it is tough to get an accurate feel for the free agency market before that time. Jones has until late June to make his decision.

But Jones acknowledged that the potential playing-time crunch at small forward next season will factor in to the decision. He stressed that it will not be a make-or-break factor, but it will be a strong consideration. The situation boils down to this: A healthy Greg Oden and improving Channing Frye could push Travis Outlaw back to small forward next season, creating a bottleneck at that position. And if Rudy Fernandez chooses to join the Blazers, where he would likely be Brandon Roy's backup as a rookie, that bottleneck will grow even tighter. Should Jones activate his option (worth $3.2 million), he, Martell Webster and Outlaw would all be battling for playing time at the same spot, and the contract situations for each player could create an intensely competitive environment. Both Jones and Webster would be in the final years of their contracts and looking to improve their free-agency stock, while Outlaw will be playing to entice the Blazers to activate the team option on the third year of his contract (which appears almost certain at this point, but a rough year and a situation where any of those three could be pushed out of the regular rotation could change any certainties).

Jones is not concerned about the competition, though, having already carved out a solid career by being productive in limited amounts of time. He averaged a respectable 8.0 points and buried 91 3-pointers last season despite playing in only 58 games and averaging 22.0 minutes off the bench.

"I can be efficient in any amount of time that I'm given," Jones said. "I'm not worried about that."

The part that Jones will consider, though, is his free-agency stock. After battling knee trouble throughout last season and having his numbers plummet thanks to a horrid shooting slump late in the season, Jones' stock this summer may not be super-hot. But should Jones activate his option and return to the Blazers next year, he will be gambling that he will be able to raise his stock for the following summer in that highly competitive situation. Should Jones get pushed out of the regular rotation and wind up being the 11th or 12th man off the bench -- a realistic possibility considering how deep the Blazers appear to be next season -- his free-agency stock could take a hit next summer.

And that gives Jones something to consider over the next month: Should he test the market this summer while he's coming off a solid season? Or believe that he can continue to be effective next season and improve his standing on the market next summer?

"That will definitely be a part of my decision," Jones said. "It will be a factor, but not the factor."

(coumbian.com)

James Jones was brought over from Phoenix mostly as a three-point specialist, and proved to be a valuable asset by knocking down 1.6 three-pointers per game (at 44.4%). A near seven-percent rise in Jones' field goal percentage is the reason his '07-'08 season wasn't essentially a duplicate of his '06-'07 season.

(rototimes.com)

Instead of giving my opinion of players performances this season, I thought I'd ask the players themselves to assess particular areas of their game. Here is what James Jones had to say, along with some various pertinent quantifiables.

Defense: "Lacking. Not as good as I would like to and not as good as I’m capable of. That’s an area of improvement."

It's important to remember that James Jones battled nagging leg injuries all season. The negative effects of said injury probably hurt James most on the defensive end, but he still managed to get it done when he needed to. Timely blocks against the Bulls in double-overtime and on the road in Miami are evidence of that. What Jones lacked in explosiveness and lateral movement, he made up for (at least partially) with smarts.

Case in point: Jones has took 16 charges this season in 1276 minutes, putting him behind only Joel Przybilla (who does a helluva job drawing charges) in charges drawn per minute. Establishing position and sacrificing your body are things you can do on defense even when you're not 100 percent.

Three-point shooting: "Pretty good, except for the late-season collapse. Once again, it was pretty good, but not as well as I would like it to be and not as well as I think it should have."

A "pretty good" three-point shooting performance from Jones this season is better than anything we've seen in Portland since Steve Smith. Finishing with the third best three-point percentage in the NBA (44%), despite struggling at the end of the season, is something to be proud of.

Jones shot a ridiculous 55% from three during the month of December, contributing greatly to the 13-game winning streak. He cooled down a bit in January, though he still shot a respectable 44%.

Once again, injury was probably to blame for Jones' decrease in three-point shooting percentage. After sitting all of February, Jones' three-point percentages dipped to 37% in March followed by a 38% month in April.

"My body hasn’t been 100 percent all year and that’s not going to change," Jones said toward the end of the season, "especially going down the stretch. You compensate and you cope and at the end of the day, regardless of how you feel, you have to be able to make that shot. I just haven’t been doing that lately."

Rebounding: "Definitely need to improve on that and to me that ties into defense. Percentage wise, I kind of gauge rebounding on whether or not my guy gets the ball or if I get the ball. Rebounding for me might mean getting more rebounds because I’m putting a body on guys and just doing my part to make sure we’re securing rebounds. I could to a bit better in that, but I think every player could do better in that department."

He's right about that. The Blazers were 25th in rebounding this season. Greg Oden will help, but he's not going to solve the problem himself. Jones averaged 2.8 rebounds per game this season, which isn't exactly stellar, but it is statistically his second best rebounding season.

Worth noting that after a miss Jones' responsibility is to get down court to spot up for three, which partially explains his average rebounding numbers.

Ball handling/putting the ball on the floor: "I can do that stuff, but that’s not really something that I emphasize or work with because that’s not really my job here. If they open it up a little bit and tell me to handle the ball and be a little more aggressive, I can do that, but every team doesn’t need five ball handlers; they need guys who know their role and their position.

"For me, I can handle the ball and create off the dribble and do things like that, but if there’s a chance for me to get the ball back to Steve or back to Brandon, that’s their job so you give the ball and allow them to do their job. And hopefully they’ll respect your job, which is shooting, and they’ll find you and put you in a better situation to do what you do well."

James is right: Ball-handling isn't something Nate McMillan asks him to do. After rebounds, the Blazers get the ball to the point guard almost exclusively, regardless of situation. I have no idea whether that is by necessity or design.

Jones averages 0.6 assists per game, while also logging 0.5 turnovers per. Not great, but not horrible either.

Leadership: "It will definitely be different next year. I think I was o.k. this year, but being injured and not being in the midst of everything on a consistent basis, you give a lot of lip service. I’m not a big fan of lip service, so if I can’t get out there and physically lead these guys and prod and push these guys and carry them along, then I can’t really lead effectively or the way I want to.

"The challenge for me was to be able to have that on court time. I know I’ll be healthier next year. I mean, I’ll probably be in the best shape of my life because I felt like I was in really good shape this summer and I think that kind of carried me earlier in the season when I wasn’t practicing at all. So I’m going to get right and I think that will help everything in general."

Jones' calming presence on the court is undeniable. Rarely makes mistakes, never seems to get frustrated and is invaluable in helping other players understand the game when he's on or off the court. That's probable enough leadership for this team

(trailblazerscentercourt.blogspot.com)

I don't know if that many people realize it, but it's possible that James Jones has played his final game as a Trail Blazer. I don't think that's the case, but it's a possibility, and a very real one at that.

Jones has a player option for the 2008-2009 season, and as the name of the option would indicate, it's a decision that is exercised by the player. Here's how it works (to the best of my understanding): James has until July 1 to opt into his contract for next season. If he picks up the option, he plays for the Blazers next season at an already pre-determined salary, after which he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If he chooses not to pick up his option, he instantly becomes an unrestricted free agent, thus being free to play with whomever offers a contract in the 2008-2009 season. That team could very well be the Blazers, so even if Jones chooses not to exercise his player option, he could still end up playing for the Blazers next season, presumably with a new free agent contract. So James Jones has options, though he's not approaching the decision as though it's all on him. Jones told The Oregonian's Joe Freeman that:

"I'm a pretty simple and easy guy. It's not complicated. It's no mystery that I like it here. I just want to be somewhere where I can be effective. It's not my decision -- it's our decision. Me and (Pritchard). There are conversations to be had. Things change and visions change. You just like to know what the future holds for you and the team."

Jones, in my opinion, isn't a guy who is out to break the bank. He just wants to be a valued member of a team that's moving in the right direction.

It's impossible to tell at this point what offers might be extended from other teams. If a playoff team gets bounced in the first round thanks to a lack of long-range shooting and veteran composure, maybe they take a look at James Jones. But then again, maybe Jones isn't interested. To hear him talk after his exit interview, that might be the case.

"I was on the plane (after the final game against Phoenix) and reality set in that hey, technically there’s a decision to be made. And you don’t make these decisions very often in your career if you’re lucky. So it’s something I have to think about, but all I know is how I feel right now. I love the guys here, I love the team. It’s been a great experience and evidently nothing is set in stone. I just have to think about it a little bit more. They already know I’m definitely open to coming back (to Portland)."

You ask any player in the NBA about contract issues, and invariably, over and over again, the reply will boil down to the same phrase: "It's a business." And in that respect, James Jones is a business man, but business isn't all about dollars. It's hard to put a price on stability, comfort and a being valued by your employer. Some players probably don't care about those things; signing on with the highest bidder out-weighs everything else. But I'm happy to say that I know James Jones a little bit, and I'd all but guarantee that he's looking at the big picture. That bodes well for Blazer fans

(trailblazerscentercourt.blogspot.com)

(newser) – James Jones hit six 3-pointers and had 20 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 113-91 victory Tuesday over the Memphis Grizzlies and a shot at a winning record. Brandon Roy had 16 points and 11 assists for Portland (41-40), back over .500 with one game left this season, Wednesday night at Phoenix. The Blazers have not finished with a winning record since the 2002-03 season.

Something is wrong with James Jones.  He is in the middle of a terrible shooting slump and doesn’t show signs of coming out of it.  In the last two weeks, he’s gone 0-3, 1-3, 0-0, 3-9, 1-2, 0-6, 1-3, and 0-3 from downtown.  At one point last night after he clanged his third three attempt (he missed all three and didn’t score), Steve Blake looked to pass him the ball and Jones threw up his hands in protest as if to say, “Me?  No way!”  While we appreciate him not just shooting over and over every time he gets the ball, he has to be ready and willing to keep throwing them up there.  Given his normal easy stroke and great shot selection, you have to wonder if his knee is bothering him or if something else is going on.  We’re worried about the guy.  We need the Gunslinger back and draining those corner treys!

(blazersog.wordpress.com)

James Jones says it’s no done deal that he will opt out of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers after this season. He has an opt-out for the 2008-09 season, when he is due $3.156 million.

"I’m not really sure," Jones says. "That’s a big decision. You’re talking about leaving money on the table. I was a finance major (at Miami). If I had a crystal ball, I could tell you. But so many things can happen, especially in the playoffs. You never know who shines in the playoffs."

But Jones, who ranks second in the NBA in 3-point percentage (.487) and has been a major force off Portland’s bench this season, surely would command more on the open market. Jason Kapono, the NBA 3-point accuracy leader, signed a four-year, $24-million contract with Toronto last summer.

(nbarumors.com)

James Jones - MVP.  The Suns were so desperate to get rid of James Jones' contract that they sold him to the Blazers along with Fernandez in what may turn out to be the worst trade in NBA history.  All Jones has done is make 49% of his threes this season.  He also appears to be incredibly important to the team's fortunes.  It was shortly after Jones returned from an early season injury that the Blazers won 13 straight.  It was after he got hurt again that they lost 9 of 11.  Portland is 8-16 without Jones this season - leaving them 27-17 with him.

(clipsnation.com)

Portland is 23-13 in games James Jones has played this season and 8-16 when he has been out with a knee problem.

But who has missed Jones more this season - Phoenix or Portland?

The Suns don't miss the prolonged slumps or offensive limitations off the dribble, but they do miss having an extra shooter off the bench - the sentiment that has led them to today's expected signing of Gordan Giricek. They miss having an active 6-foot-8 defender, a hole that is aggravated by the loss of top defenders Shawn Marion and Kurt Thomas from last year's team.

TUALATIN, Ore. — James Jones was surprisingly blunt with his confidence, stepping outside his normal soft-spoken manner to send a direct message.
Was it fair, he was asked, for people to believe that his return on Friday will change the Blazers’ sagging fortunes?
Jones did not hesitate.

“I hope people do have those expectations, and the players themselves, as well,” he said, “that once we get to full strength and healthy that things will change and we will be able to compete and win games like we know we should.”

James Jones returned to action on Friday after missing 12 games with a knee injury, and hit 3-of-4 shots and both of his 3-point attempts for eight points in a tough win over the Lakers.
Jones could emerge with a little fantasy value once he's fully healthy, but chances are he does more to hurt the values of Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack.

rotoworld.com