Mavericks to sign veteran Jones 03:42 PM CDT on Friday, August 3, 2007 By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News ccarlton@dallasnews.com The Mavericks strengthened their depth at shooting guard and small forward Friday, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with veteran swingman Eddie Jones. Owner Mark Cuban confirmed the pending deal with the unrestricted free agent. Jones, 35, is expected to fly to Dallas on Monday where he'll take a physical and officially sign. He'll receive $1.83 million in the first year from the Mavericks' bi-annual exception. The team still has its $5.3 million mid-level exception to use for another free-agent acquisition. Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, declined comment until the deal is official. Jones (6-6, 200 pounds) is a three-time All-Star who has averaged 15.4 points per game in 13 NBA seasons. Throughout his career, he's been considered an excellent outside shooter and defender. Even though he averaged a career-low 7.7 points a game last season with Memphis and Miami, he showed that he could still deliver late in the season. When Miami lost star Dwyane Wade with a shoulder injury, Jones played a key stopgap role. He started all 15 Miami games in March with Wade sidelined, averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He shot 46.2 percent field, including 41 percent on 3-pointers, during that span. With the Mavericks, he'll give the team another look at shooting guard and small forward to go with players like Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, Greg Buckner and second-year guard Moe Ager. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/080407dnspomavslede.dc772abe.html I moved to Dallas 3 months ago from Houston, It's kind of a big deal here *shrugs*
EJ provides a lot. He should be a huge signing. But with Howard, Terry, and Stackhouse it isn't really that big of a splash. Jones won't even get minutes unless Terry is dealt. Terry now being slightly more expendable is probably the most exciting aspect of the move.
Terry, as annoying as he is, is one of their clutch guys. They would be a lot easier to beat. The LLE is reasonable for EJ, but I don't see him having much of an impact for Dallas at all. It wasn't like swingman is a weak position for them. That said, Miami has serious work to do in providing shooting and athleticism. They better get Barnes.
I was a big Eddie fan during his stint with the Lakers. Too bad he could never play up to his max contract. Though he did have some very solid years.
Good guy to pick at a cheap price. I don't think Jones will make any impact at all with the Mavs, but I think he'll be good for about 10 mpg doing spot up jumpers. He's a rich man's version of Damon Jones even in his declining years.
splash Seriously, it won't make much of a difference. He hit the wall finally last year and just isn't the same guy anymore. He's got as much value as Devean George. Good value for the money they're paying, but don't expect him to make or break a game. I suppose he'll be a good lockeroom presence. That's about it.
Agreed. He's still a solid player, but with all of the players in their prime at similar positions, Eddie Jones isn't a significant pick-up. If they rely on him too much, it could end up hurting.
Good player..its unfortunate hes with the mavs, cuz now i will hate him as much as any other mavs player
my dallas maverick fan roomate: me: so the mavs got eddie jones him: man that guy is so old now that he is starting to get morgan freeman dots. not a terrible signing but i dont see how much jones will help them i thought miami would try to keep him but oh well he must be desperate to try to get a ring. sucks he was in miami all those years and they trade him and that year they end up winning it all must have just killed him
He signed with the wrong team then Maybe Dallas is just interested in getting renowned playoff chokers to take media heat off Dirk. They need to sign Webber next. Evan
Still a serviceable player and shooter. I'm sure he'll be good for a slam-your-beer-on-the-coffee-table or two moments this season.
Shows that no one really has any faith in Miami, everyone has jumped off that band wagon...the talent level has definitely dropped off!!!
Eddie Jones is not bad, but his minutes will likely be limited with Stack, Howard, George, etc already on the roster. Unless, that is, they are trading Howard in some big deal... maybe for Kobe or Jermaine O'Neal.
I don't understand this deal at all, I think the Mavs missed their opportunity for two reasons. 1. They let Nash go. 2. They choked their one chance. DD
