Raptors To Sign Guard Fred Jones
Posted July 24, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When Vince Carter left Toronto, so went the Raptors’ first ever Slam Dunk champion.
But if the Monday rumours are true, they could be very close to getting their second.
According to his agent, Bill Duffy, free agent guard Fred Jones will sign with the Raptors, filling the hole left when ex-Philadelphia 76ers swingman John Salmons walked away from a five-year, $23 million dollar deal with Toronto.
After spending his college years at the University of Oregon, Jones spent his first four NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers where he played a key role for a team wrought with injuries and captured the Slam Dunk title at the 2004 all-star game.
Playing largely as a back-up last year, the six-foot-two leaper averaged 9.6 points a game.
It was initially expected Jones would re-sign with Indiana after the club made a qualifying offer earlier in the summer. But after they rescinded the offer last week he became an unrestricted free agent. He’s expected to officially sign with Toronto in the next few days.
“We were behind the eight-ball,” Duffy said. “Other situations were not available that would have been available because time had elapsed.”
Jones is just the latest addition to a Raptors team that will only feature five players from the previous season. Expected to play an up tempo style with new point guard T.J. Ford, Jones’ high-flying abilities could help him vie for a starting spot.
“I’m happy for the possibilities for him up there,” said Duffy. “I think it’s going to be a new lease on life for him, and his role will be increased. Their style is more conducive to Fred’s style.”
That the Pacers basically told Jones to take a hike doesn’t concern his agent, and says if anything their loss is the Raptors’ gain.
“They had to do what they had to do,” he said.
“He’s in a better situation for him, and that’s all that matters at this point.”
The deal is expected to be in the range of three years, $11 million.
