'Keep or Kick’: James Jones

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

Case for keeping: Whether it was draining 3-pointers, creating 4-point plays or drawing charges, Jones maximized his limited skill set last season. He is a specialist who accepts his role and remains a positive presence in the locker room. His height allows him to thrive as a zone-buster.

Case for kicking: By the latter stages of the postseason it was clear that a healthy Mike Miller would be the choice moving forward when it came to the role Jones held earlier in the season and earlier in the playoffs. With Jones opting out of the final year of his contract, the question becomes whether money could better be spent elsewhere.

We say: It all comes down to the degree in faith in Mike Miller. If Miller is viewed as recovered from last season’s ailments, it would reduce Jones to an end-of-bench existence. But gambling on Miller’s health simply might be too risky. At the right price, Jones stands as reasonable insurance.



(sun-sentinel.com)