CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are bringing back a lucky charm.
For the second straight year, the Cavs will sign swingman Dahntay Jones on the final day of the regular season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The sides are finalizing the deal and Jones is expected to be signed Wednesday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced any deal. Jones has to sign with the team by then to be eligible for the playoffs.
The 36-year-old Jones made a significant contribution in last year’s NBA Finals, when Cleveland rallied from a 3-1 deficit to stun Golden State. He came off the bench and scored five quick points in Game 6. Jones also was fined for punching Toronto’s Bismack Biyombo in the groin during the conference finals.
A defensive stopper with playoff experience, Jones was released at the end of training camp in October and hasn’t played this season.
Jones was popular with his teammates, who mobbed him when they received their championship rings before the season even though he was no longer on Cleveland’s roster.
He will fill a spot that opened earlier this week when the Cavs released forward DeAndre Liggins. The Cavs have dropped three straight and are in second place in the Eastern Conference entering Wednesday’s finale against Toronto.
LeBron James will sit out the game as he deals with a calf strain. James hasn’t played in the final regular-season game since 2007.
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