CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived shooting guard Dahntay Jones, the team announced Saturday evening.
Jones played in just one regular-season game with the Cavaliers after signing with the Eastern Conference and Central Division champions in the final days before the postseason, but when called upon to deliver in a critical moment in The Finals, the veteran shooter did exactly that.
In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he registered only five minutes, but instead of his playing time coming at the end of the 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors, Jones got into the game midway through the second quarter and scored five quick points, including a three-point play that helped the Cavaliers post a series-tying win.
“True professional,” Cavaliers small forward LeBron James said of Jones at the team’s Championship Parade and Rally in June. “Competing against this guy, you always knew that you’ve got to be locked in every time you step on the floor. Then, when he got on the team, we just saw how great of a teammate he was, and also, another guy that would give anything.
“You guys saw that in our Game 6 at home. J.R. Smith picks up three fouls. Iman Shumpert picks up three fouls. R.J. had three fouls at halftime, and Coach Lue and myself and Kyrie, we had a lot of faith in Dahntay and Dahntay had a lot of faith in himself and gave us a huge boost to close out that quarter in Game 6.”
A 12-year NBA veteran, Jones elected to sign with the Cavaliers in the final days of the regular season because of his bond with Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue, and that decision led to him and the team winning the league championship for the very first time.
“The relationship I have with Ty is one of the best relationships I have in my life,” Jones said. “He’s been amazing to me. He’s been a mentor. He’s been a friend, and he helped me come in here and fit in and just be able to help these guys in any way possible.”
After blocking a shot with 2:17 to play in the first half of Game 6, Jones took a pass from James and buried a five-foot jumper while drawing a foul from Warriors small forward Draymond Green. Then, on the Cavaliers’ next possession, Jones again drew a foul from Green and sunk two free throws, which extended the lead to 16 points.
“I just had to go in there and just try to make a play, try to help these guys out,” Jones said of drawing the fouls against Green. “We had foul trouble, and I just tried to do everything to get us going and get us back in the game.”
