Life in the NBA can change at the drop of a hat. For all of the talk about player movement, teams these days are quick to move on from guys if it means improving their roster and/or shifting direction.
The Cleveland Cavaliers dealt Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to the San Antonio Spurs, for example, in a three-team trade that landed them Miami Heat wing Max Strus.
Damian Jones is no stranger to having to pack his bags and go from town-to-town. He’s been moved three times in his career and will have now played for seven different franchises in as many NBA seasons.
Understanding that fact, the 28-year-old big man knew to take his optimism with a grain of salt when it came to playing for the Utah Jazz in his most recent stop.
Before he knew it, the Cavs came calling, and it was on to Northeast Ohio.
“Literally, I just found a place in Utah. Someone told me not to sign the lease, and I'm glad I didn't sign the lease,” Jones chuckled after Tuesday’s practice. “Literally a couple days later, I got the call. My agent told me I'm gonna get traded to Cleveland. So I was like, 'Alright, glad I didn't sign it.' It did catch me by surprise, I ain't gonna lie.”
Jones has made himself right at home thus far in training camp. Fortunately for him, he already knows a couple of Clevelanders. Ironically, he met them while playing for the Golden State Warriors.
“It's crazy, two of my boys from The Bay when I was out there, they're from Cleveland. One of 'em moved back and another one visits all the time, so we hang out and just kick it. He tells me about the things in Cleveland. So getting used to that, checking out different restaurants and stuff.
“The organization's great. Everybody's been welcoming. Everybody's available, teaching. It's just been good.”'
Hopefully, Jones can stick around and stay grounded with this particular team. He’s already accepted an early challenge with Jarrett Allen sidelined, and that shows he’s had the necessary preparation for when his name is called.
“Gives you extra size, gives you that vertical spacing, has nice touch and he’s a good passer,” Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “You don’t fall off completely because he does have a similar skill set to Jarrett and he protects the rim and protects the paint and his teammates are gaining that trust in him.”
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