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The Phoenix Suns today announced that the club has signed forward/center Dwayne Jones. Jones was traded by the Suns along with Leandro Barbosa to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu on July 14, and was waived by the Raptors on August 16.
Originally signed by Phoenix on April 5, 2010, Jones saw action in two regular season games and two playoff contests for the Suns. The 6-11, 250-pound Jones spent the 2009-10 season with the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League before Phoenix made him the league’s 34th GATORADE Call-Up last year.
The 2009-10 D-League rebounding leader averaged 17.6 points (18th) and a league-best 16.0 rebounds in 40.0 minutes in 48 games (48 starts) for the Toros. Jones averaged four rebounds more than any other D-Leaguer and led the league with 43 double-doubles, 15 more than the nearest player. His 59.8-percent field goal percentage ranked third-best.
A D-League standout, the St. Joseph’s (PA) product also has NBA experience after spending parts of each of the last five seasons with the Suns, Charlotte Bobcats (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2006-07, 2007-08) and Boston Celtics (2005-06). His longest NBA stint came in 2007-08 with the Cavs where he saw action in 56 regular season games, averaging 1.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.4 minutes. Jones also earned postseason experience after seeing action in five games with Cleveland in the 2008 NBA Playoffs.
Jones owns career D-League averages of 14.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 35.4 minutes in 110 games (106 starts) with the Florida Flame (2005-06), Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2006-07), Iowa Energy (2008-09), Idaho Stampede (2008-09) and Austin Toros (2008-09, 2009-10).
The Arizona Republic reports:
The Suns took little risk in bringing back Jones. The structure of the one-year deal pays him a small amount to come to training camp and another small portion if he makes the opening night roster. The Suns would have the ability to waive him at no extended cost all the way up until the January date that contracts become guaranteed.
They like Jones, enough to carry a 14th player on the roster (13 is the minimum) now that they are under the luxury tax threshold. But not so much that they would not scoop up another more attractive big man should one come available. Like many teams, the Suns had some interest in Erick Dampier if Charlotte intended on waiving him but the Bobcats now are looking for a trade.
