Jones Comes Back to Miami

No, it wasn't Eddie Jones or Damon Jones coming back for another stint with the Heat to help gain them back to the upper echelon of teams in the East. But it was James Jones, a former Miami Hurricane who could offer the same three-point shooting that was lost with the departure of both Joneses.

In my opinion, Pat Riley could have signed Mickael Pietrus, who has recently signed with Orlando. Pietrus has stated he would love to play in Miami, and Riles fought hard to get him in a Heat uniform last off-season. Pietrus has been known for his long-distance shooting and defense. Ultimately, though, Riley opted to go with James Jones. He made the right decision.

Some have compared the 6'6" Pietrus to the 6'6" Bruce Bowen. Both have the shooting and defensive capabilities mentioned above -- and both are terrible from the charity stripe. They both are also undersized to play the small forward position. The reason why the Spurs are able to get away with it is because they don't give up much at the other positions. Miami already has an undersized shooting guard in Dwyane Wade and an undersized power forward in Udonis Haslem. Going that small may not be best for the team.

James Jones was third in the League in three-point shooting, at a 44.4% clip. He's also very young -- he'll turn 28 this year, which is also entering his peak. Jones also has long arms and blocks well for a small forward. He can fill somewhat of the Eddie Jones/James Posey role that was missed last season.
If Miami's small forward situation wasn't a logjam before, it certainly now is. Michael Beasley, Shawn Marion, and free agents Dorell Wright and Ricky Davis all are small forwards. I don't anticipate Wright nor Davis to return. It simply leaves Miami too loaded on their forward positions with them rail-thin on point guard and center. Shawn Marion is certainly the most valuable trade chip Miami has. It is difficult to see him returning with Miami, and I expect Riley to trade him for a more pressing need.

James Jones' five-year contract starting at $4 million, nearly all of the mid-level exception, still gives Miami flexibility for the all-important 2010 free agency. Jones will have an early termination option for the remaining three years on his contract. Although his signing gives away most of the mid-level exception, it was a move that needed to be done. The Heat's lack of three-point specialist did not bode well for them last season. Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley can create off the dribble, and having shooters around them would be helpful.

We certainly haven't heard the last of Heat transactions. The Heat do not have a center or depth at point guard. But signing Jones on the first day in which signing was possible was a move in the right direction that signaled Miami is going to be active this off-season.