University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame inductee James Jones was named NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations on Wednesday. Jones played 14 years in the NBA with five teams and was an executive with the Phoenix Suns since 2017 immediately after retirement.
Jones will report to Byron Spruell the President, League Operations. The NBA press release stated, "Jones will oversee all Basketball Operations matters for the NBA." Jones began his executive career as director of player personnel for Phoenix. Fourteen months after being hired, Jones was promoted to co-general manager.
Jones was further promoted to general manager in 2019. After Phoenix finished 51-21 and earned their first playoff berth since 2010 during the covid-shortened 2020-21 season, Jones earned NBA Executive of the Year. Phoenix finished a franchise-best 64-18 in 2021-22 and advanced to the NBA Finals for the third time.
The NBA stated Jones will oversee "the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, and policies and procedures relating to the operation of games. He will engage with players, coaches, team executives and referees on the state of the game, style of play and playing rules issues."
The NBA announced today that James Jones, a three-time NBA champion as a player and the 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 9, 2025
Complete release: https://t.co/eBzN0rfRog pic.twitter.com/FWm2YebWKW
The press release continued. "Jones will develop innovative strategies and solutions that sustain the highest level of play and competition." Jones won NBA Championships with Miami in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and Cleveland in 2015-16. Jones played in the NBA finals in each of his final seven seasons in the NBA.
Jones was the consummate winner during his playing career. All five franchises Jones played for had a winning record in each of his 14 seasons in the NBA. Jones was the Secretary-Treasurer of the National Basketball Players Association from 2008-17.
Jones had a distinguished career after being selected 49th overall in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft by Indiana. After two seasons with Indiana, Jones played two with Phoenix and one with Portland before returning home to play six with Miami. Jones spent his final three NBA seasons with Cleveland.