James Jones Becomes Phoenix Suns' VP Of Basketball Operations

CLEVELAND, OH — Cavaliers reserve forward James Jones has retired from active play to accept a position in the front office of the Phoenix Suns. Jones will become the team's Vice President of Basketball Operations, reporting directly to General Manager Ryan McDonough. Jones had appeared alongside LeBron James in the last seven NBA Finals.

Jones spent 14 years as a player in the NBA, including two in Phoenix, and the last three in Cleveland. From 2008-2014 he played for the Miami Heat. Along the way, he collected three championship rings and the nickname "Champ."

In a letter posted to the Cavaliers' website, team owner Dan Gilbert wrote, "Congratulations to James Jones on what has been one of the most successful NBA careers a player can have. Being widely known as one of the best teammates ever is possibly the greatest tribute a player could receive and he has earned that reputation with hard work, incredible consistency, dependability, strong character and trust."

Besides earning accolades for his locker room presence, Jones also served as the secretary-treasurer for the National Basketball Players Association, ESPN reports.

Jones told reporters that he felt like he was "going home" and had found the right spot to "invest" his energy.

"He is a champion and role model on the court, in the locker room, in the community and as a mentor and friend to many across the NBA," Gilbert wrote. “Champ” is one of those special people that helps create success wherever they are, in many different ways, with character and brains that are on un-paralleled levels."

Photo from David Zalubowski, Associated Press