Early signs don't look good for Perry Jones' chances to make the team

On Wednesday, Jones (No. 38) played the fewest minutes of anyone in this picture.

As we all know, the Celtics have 16 players on their roster, but must trim that number down to 15 by Opening Night (13 days away).  Barring a trade, Perry Jones (and his $2 million contract) is most likely to go.  Granted, the C's have played only three of their seven preseason games.  But the way things are looking right now, Jones' days in green appear numbered.

Jones has shown flashes of star-potential in the past.  For ESPN Boston's Summer Forecast, I predicted the biggest story of training camp would be whether or not Jones' play might force Danny Ainge to make a move.  Along the same lines, fellow CelticsLife writer Paul Colahan picked a roster battle between Jones and Evan Turner to be the talk of preseason.

Unless something dramatically changes, we were both dead wrong.

Last night's win in Brooklyn was the perfect opportunity for the versatile forward to assert himself.  Four of Boston's regulars didn't suit up, meaning Jones' worst-case position as the 16th man instantly elevated to 12th.  Yet somehow Jones was the 13th and final Celtic to enter the game in the second half, checking in after training-camp-invitee Corey Walden (No. 46 in the above photo).  Jones logged a team-low 10 minutes (along with Walden), scoring two points on 1-for-3 shooting.

Through three exhibition contests (he missed one due to a death in the family), Jones in 2-for-6 with four points, three rebounds and an assist in 17 minutes of action.  However, I'm less concerned about Jones' production in limited court time than I am about the fact that he hasn't done enough in practice to earn more.



Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan