HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ira Winderman: James Jones also tells Sun Sentinel that he, too, is operating under the belief that the Heat will not use amnesty on Mike Miller. Twitter

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones, Mike Miller 

Ira Winderman: No free-agency tour for James Jones: "I feel that if I'm flying around the country, I can't be in the gym working." Twitter

Free Agency, James Jones 

The proposal, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, was dated to be delivered to union executive director Billy Hunter on Friday. At least some of the people who will be in the NBPA meeting said Sunday they had not yet seen the offer, creating more than a little confusion over what exactly is on the table. "We haven't asked for anything more than what we had," Miami Heat player representative James Jones said Sunday. "We understand the times. We understand the economy. We just want a fair deal where both sides are bearing the weight of the present times and with an eye on the future of the game of basketball." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, James Jones, CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Udonis Haslem: Me and my man James Jones went shot for shot today. Don't ask who won but it's a reason dat boy da champ. Smh. Ofcourse I only shot 17ft. Twitter

Miami Heat, James Jones, Udonis Haslem 

A person familiar with the situation told The AP that Wade called an hourlong meeting with players after the FIU game to discuss the lockout. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were to remain private, saying Wade, Chris Paul and Miami Heat player representative James Jones answered questions about the status of negotations. The person also said Wade has taken “a more active role” in talks about a new labor deal of late and that he urged players to be “informed rather than accept any deal.” Washington Times

Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, James Jones, CBA, Lockout, NBPA 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Udonis Haslem & James Jones both believe NBA season will be played, and even start on time. Jones is secretary treasurer of NBAPA. Twitter

Miami Heat, James Jones, Udonis Haslem, Lockout 

Jones' future is doubly cloudy: Not only is he locked out, but he chose to become a free agent last month, which means he might not necessarily be back with the Heat when play resumes. The league's owners and players did not agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before the most recent one expired June 30, prompting the lockout. Because the sides are billions of dollars apart, there's already talk of worst-case scenarios for the coming season. "Typically right now guys would be back in the gym preparing for next year, and that's not a possibility because the owners decided that they didn't want us there," Jones said. "It's definitely real, and we're so far apart that it's tough to really see anything besides today. And today they're unrelenting, and they don't want us there. So until they decide they want to engage us, we'll be locked out. And it's tough because we're basketball players and we want to play. And the fans, I'm sure, want to watch us play." MSNBC.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones, Lockout 

He said he's not necessarily worried or angry about what looms ahead in labor talks, but acknowledged that he, like all players, needs to be realistic while the sides work out the business of basketball's future. "They're holding fast to what they want and what they've asked for," Jones said, speaking of owners. "We've made some concessions and agreed to move it in the right direction. But moving in the right direction isn't enough. They want it all." Some players already have discussed finding deals with international teams until the lockout is over. Jones isn't thinking about that option — yet. "I'm an NBA player," Jones said. "But at the same time, basketball is my livelihood. If an opportunity presents itself, I'll go. But my priority is getting a deal done." MSNBC.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones, Lockout 

Saying he merely was looking to "find the best situation for me," Miami Heat forward James Jones confirmed Wednesday to the Sun Sentinel that he has decided to opt out of the 2011-12 season on his contract. Jones, however, stressed that the decision was not in response to being benched for the final nine games of the playoffs, including all six games of the NBA Finals, which the Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones 

"I just decided to become a free agent," he said. "My goal is still to find the best situation for me, and that possibly could be Miami." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones 

I reached Jones shortly after. didn’t envision Jones exercising his right to freedom for three reasons: 1. Pat Riley said he expected Jones to come back. 2. Jones is a local guy. He grew up in Dade, attended college at the University of Miami, and has a house (and a family) in Broward. After considering retirement last offseason, due to lingering wrist issues, he turned down a better offer from Boston and returned. 3. Jones is the Heat’s union rep. He’s far more educated than any of his teammates about the labor issues. And while he’s not necessarily risking any money — another team could sign him for the minimum, whatever that turns out to be — he must know that a large payday in the current climate is remote as well. So he would be taking the chance of the Heat moving on without him. Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, Free Agency, James Jones 

Riley also said that he expects Eddie House, 33, and James Jones, 30, to opt in for the 2011-12 season with the Heat. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, James Jones, Eddie House 

There’s been speculation that Jones’ toe injury, suffered early in the Chicago series, has been keeping him out, but Spoelstra and Jones both made it clear Saturday that he’s healthy enough to play. Spoelstra said he chose House because of “the speed, quickness” on the floor for Dallas. “I probably could have gone either way,” Spoelstra said. “I have no reservations throwing James in there either. At that point, we were playing without Dwyane, so I went with Eddie.” Palm Beach Post

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, James Jones 

House missed both his attempts, but Spoelstra liked the fact that the veteran reserve took them, coming in cold. Jones’ take? “I understand what Coach is doing,” Jones said. “This is a very close series. We’re very evenly matched, and the guys who have been playing have been playing well. So if it’s not broken, you don’t fix it. Coach knows I’m ready and guys know throughout the course of this game, and when called upon, you have to respond.” Palm Beach Post

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, James Jones 

They might be small and inexpensive or large and valuable. No occasion is needed to spur these moments of disarming generosity. Nor do they come with the expectation of public thanks or reciprocation. This, it seems, is just part of being a teammate of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. "Those two," says Heat backup forward James Jones, "are special." Might be an iPod or a pair of headphones. Might be a box of sneakers or a flashy warmup suit. "Things that guys like us use," Jones says on the eve of the NBA Finals. "Special gifts," says Juwan Howard, the Heat's oldest player. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, James Jones, Juwan Howard 

There have been times this season when the Heat has traveled north and one of the younger players has failed to pack appropriately. Soon, a package will appear in that player's locker with a scarf and a beanie. "Just small things that make a difference," Jones says, "just to let us know and to express their gratitude." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, James Jones 

The collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, and while the league and players are trying to reach a new deal, they remain far apart on major financial issues, raising the possibility of a work stoppage. "Until something is done, nothing is done," Heat player representative James Jones said Monday on the eve of the Finals. "We're looking at a scenario where we're riding a high of excitement and the game is thriving, to coming back to reality and understanding we're in a labor battle where there may not be games and players may be locked out." CBSSports.com

Miami Heat, James Jones, Lockout 

Chris Perkins: James Jones' left foot in walking boot. Torn tendon 2nd toe. Did it Game 1 of this series. Said can play if needed. Twitter

Miami Heat, James Jones, Injuries 

Jermaine O’Neal’s Flagrant 1 foul on James Jones in the third quarter was downgraded to a personal foul. Jones was in turn assessed for a Flagrant 1 foul for his foul of Paul Pierce in the fourth quarter. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Paul Pierce, James Jones, Jermaine O'Neal 

Ken Berger: #NBA rescinds James Jones' tech from Pierce incident, but Jones' foul upgraded to flagrant-one, league source says. Twitter

Miami Heat, James Jones