Choosing to add to their backcourt instead of beefing up their front court (excluding the beefiest in the league, Shaq, of course) the Heat decided to sign the 6?3? Jones to a 2-year deal with $2.5-million coming the first year.

Jones averaged 7 points and 5.8 assists in just 24 minutes last season, and was second in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.64 to 1.

''Damon is an up-and-coming player, and Miami saw that,'' (Jones? agent) Termini said.