Miami Heat Rumors: James Jones almost re-signed this summer

Apr 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward James Jones (22) reacts after making a three point basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during the second half in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-88. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward James Jones (22) reacts after making a three point basket against the Charlotte Bobcats during the second half in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-88. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers added a ton of veteran talent to their roster this season thanks to LeBron James coming back and making the team a destination once again, and one of those players was a port from LeBron’s days in Miami.

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James Jones spent some good years in Miami with the Heat — and with LeBron — and he’s looking to rekindle that this season in Cleveland. But his move from South Beach to Northern Ohio wasn’t without some contemplation as Jones almost stayed in Miami this year.

According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, there was indeed mutual interest between the Miami Heat and James Jones before he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.

"“We talked. There were discussions,” he said of his end game with the Heat. “But at the end of the day, a lot is predicated on the direction of the team, personnel and style of play. With LeBron leaving, that was a big factor. There was interest on both sides, but at the end of the day, wanting to assess what was best going forward for me, it seemed like the better fit. It was really about fit.”"

Jones will be coming off the bench much in the same way he did in Miami, although the roster seems to be more sound with less minutes to go around. The roster is younger in Cleveland though, which may afford him more chances to play as opposed to the logjam of veterans pining for minutes in Miami.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.