Jones will not join Bucks
By Charles F. Gardner
Monday, Sep 29 2008, 08:08 PM
St. Francis - Veteran guard Damon Jones will not join the Bucks when training camp opens Tuesday morning at the Cousins Center.
That was one bit of news that came out of the team's annual media day on Monday, although it was hardly a major surprise. The 6-foot-3 Jones was acquired by the Bucks from Cleveland on Aug. 13 in the three-team trade that sent Mo Williams to the Cavaliers and brought point guard Luke Ridnour to Milwaukee from Oklahoma City.
Jones has a $4.4 million expiring contract, and it's possible the Bucks could make a deal involving the guard at some point during the season.
The Bucks released a statement that said: "The Milwaukee Bucks and Damon Jones have mutually decided that he will not join the team. Damon will continue to work on his own in preparation to play in the NBA this season. Both parties will explore options for Damon to reach this goal."
Jones played in 67 games for the Cavaliers last season and averaged 6.5 points while playing 20 minutes per game.
The 32-year-old guard has played for 10 NBA teams, including the 2003-'04 season with the Bucks. Jones played in all 82 games and averaged 7.0 points and 5.8 assists that year in Milwaukee for a playoff team coached by Terry Porter.
He went to the Miami Heat the following season and again played in 82 games while averaging a career-best 11.6 points.
Jones played the past three seasons with the Cavaliers, appearing in 209 games.
Not particularly surprising given his no-show at the ticket holder event. As some mentioned he can come in and knock down some big shots, but he is mostly known for his "celebrity" and not for his game.
