<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Mavericks' free-agent pool became a little shallower and the Southwest Division a little tougher Thursday when Steve Francis signed a two-year contract with his original team, the Houston Rockets. Francis, 30, considered the Mavs, Rockets, Heat and Clippers, but the eight-year veteran point guard and three-time All-Star chose to reunite with Yao Ming and pair with Tracy McGrady, the player the Rockets acquired when they traded Francis to Orlando in 2004. Francis agreed to $2.4 million the first year, the amount Houston had left on its mid-level exception, and can opt out after the season. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said that Francis, who has a home in Houston and played the first five seasons of his career there, felt a comfort factor with the Rockets. The Mavs could have offered Francis more first-year money because they still have their full mid-level exception of $5.36 million. The Mavs also have a $1.83 biannual exception available as they continue to pursue potential free-agent additions. A perimeter scoring threat is still a priority and one option gaining some steam is veteran swingman Eddie Jones. A 37.5-percent 3-point shooter over his 13-year career, Jones split last season with Memphis and Miami. The Heat does not plan to re-sign Jones, who will turn 36 before the season starts. Other free-agent targets for the Mavs appear to be James Posey (Miami), P.J. Brown (Chicago), Chris Webber (Detroit) and possibly Matt Barnes (Golden State) and Mickael Pietrus (Golden State), although a likely sign-and-trade for the Pietrus, a restricted free agent, makes him a more difficult acquisition.</div> Source: Star-Telegram I don't get why Miami wouldn't want to re-sign Jones. He averaged just under 10 ppg for them on the season and ended the year strong with a 14/5/3 March. Okay, so he's going to be 36 this season, but it's not like he's looking for anything long-term. The Heat could really use him now with the news that Wade won't be available for the first month of the season. As for the Mavericks, they've already got Howard, George, Stackhouse, and Ager under contract, as well as the rights to Reyshawn Terry and Renaldas Seibutis. Really, they don't have a need for Jones, so I'm not sure what to make of this news.
I wouldnt be overly upset if we got Eddie jones, but who we really need to go after is Chris Webber or more preferably PJ Brown. And if were gonna go after a wing player, why not go after Mickael Pietrus or Matt Barnes who are younger and could replace George/Stackhouse in the long run.
Eddie Jones is so old, his car has a phonograph player. Eddie Jones is so old, the government tried to take away his driver's license. Eddie Jones is so old, the San Francisco Giants offered him a contract. And furthermore, Eddie Jones is so old, he doesn't even make sense as a backup to the backup (Stackhouse) when there are so many good young undrafted FAs who could do the job better and cheaper.
<div class="quote_poster">Montaman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Eddie Jones is so old, his car has a phonograph player. Eddie Jones is so old, the government tried to take away his driver's license. Eddie Jones is so old, the San Francisco Giants offered him a contract. And furthermore, Eddie Jones is so old, he doesn't even make sense as a backup to the backup (Stackhouse) when there are so many good young undrafted FAs who could do the job better and cheaper.</div> He can take steriods with Bonds. They don't need Jones, he is usless. He should follow the path of Avery and coach a team in the D League.
Eddie Jones might be useful to the Trail Blazers, or some other young team with a chance to strike early... not a contender, though.
