Heat: Jones Departure Met With Sadness

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? The Heat celebrated the addition of Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey on Wednesday, but there was a feeling of sadness from Pat Riley and Stan Van Gundy in trading Eddie Jones to Memphis.

Fans got on Jones during his five seasons in Miami, but Riley and Van Gundy said they respected the way he played. Riley said he tried twice to call Jones, but Jones is on vacation in the Bahamas.

"Eddie has been as good a professional as I've ever coached or led," Riley said. "He's a fixture here in South Florida. Who's to say Eddie can't come back here and take one more trip down glory road."

Van Gundy praised Jones for his scoring, defense and leadership.

"I know I would not have any of the success that I would have had the last two years without Eddie Jones," Van Gundy said. "It's tough."

D. Jones still an option: Riley and Van Gundy would like to see point guard Damon Jones return. But Jones, a free agent, has drawn interest from Cleveland and may be too expensive for the Heat.

Miami, which still has salary-cap room plus the $5 million mid-level exception to spend, needs at least two more perimeter players to fill its roster, and Jones might not want to return as a backup to Williams.

"He's a real good complement for our guys," Van Gundy said. "You get some continuity because he knows what's going on. But it's all a matter of money and how much we have left and how much he wants."

Riley said the Heat will wait to see which players are waived using the new "amnesty" clause by the Aug. 15 deadline. Dallas guard Michael Finley and New York guard Allan Houston are among the players who could become available.

Riley said he expects a decision soon from center Alonzo Mourning, who can return to the Heat or retire.

The Heat also has agreed to terms with center Earl Barron, who starred for its summer league team.</div>

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