His “turn” has come to the Suns, James Jones joins the NBA offices

As a child, he would never have imagined that he could join the Major Leagues, become a player there, much less become a manager of an NBA team. ” It’s an experience that seems unreal to me, I have to pinch myself to believe it. It’s crazy to think about this trip », formula James Jones who reached the American Championship in 2003.

Drafted very low (49th pick), this former shooting guard had a “role” career with 14 seasons between five teams. With, above all, three NBA titles (Heat 2012, 2013, Cavs 2016). Then another career opened up, as a manager. Direction the Suns, one of his first franchises as a player.

Returning in 2018, James Jones played a part in Arizona’s rebounding team. With a high point: the arrival of Chris Paul, who allowed the Suns to reach the NBA Finals, lost in 2021. My time in Phoenix was phenomenal », he describes, showing a positive balance with the Suns at 298 wins and 257 losses (54%).

His tenure ended last May after the abject failure of the “Big Three” assembly of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Advisor Brian Gregory took over as general manager, while James Jones moved up another level: the league’s vice president of basketball operations, replacing Joe Dumars.

Now a broader vision

« The fact is, when you’re a GM in the NBA, if you don’t win, eventually it’s your turn. So it was just my turn, and I was excited to make this move to the NBA because, like anything, you look for a learning challenge, and this is one. “, he appreciates this new mission, confident that he can rely on ” a unique perspective » because of his origin.

« I see all the individual wishes and goals, but I am really focused on the collective goal, which is to make our sport a global game and a global benchmark in sports and entertainment », aims the manager.

« He will do a wonderful job, truly wonderful. He knows the game, the league, he has excellent contact with people. All of these qualities are necessary in his current role. We will spend a lot of time together working on different topics, on the one hand because there is a connection between us, and on the other hand because our paths often cross » enthuses Brian Gregory, who says he is drowning in emails, just like his predecessor.

We doubt James Jones will be keeping an eye on his former team’s performance. But today the leader will look more broadly: ” There is so much enthusiasm around our sport, whether locally, nationally or globally, that there is no better time to be involved in the NBA than today. »