OKC THUNDER

Former Thunder forward Perry Jones finds health, happiness in the BIG3

Erik Horne

Perry Jones was never freer than when he was in Oklahoma City. But for Jones, every taste of freedom in his professional career has been fleeting.

Blessed with athleticism his teammates called the best on the Thunder, as well as ball skills and shooting range, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound Jones was the modern NBA forward. In 2014, he was finally getting his opportunity with injuries to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

"Unfortunately, Kevin and Russ and them were out, but the stretch I had in my third year, that was probably the best part because I didn’t have any restrictions on what I was able to do," Jones told The Oklahoman in a phone interview Friday.

"I was really able to showcase my game and skills and have fun while I was out there."

On Sunday, Jones returns to Oklahoma City as part of the BIG3's "Enemies" franchise, still chasing a place in the NBA after years of roadblocks and unfulfilled promise.

"I wasn’t all the way there"

In its first three seasons, the BIG3 hasn’t been afraid to make changes to enhance the product. This season, it lowered its eligibility age from 30 to 27. The switch opened the door for Jones.

This summer, Jones joined the "Enemies" expansion franchise, a squad filled with names like former NBA players Gilbert Arenas, Royce White and Craig Smith. In three games with the Enemies, Jones is second on the team with 7.7 points per game.

BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz said it’s been "all positive" from Jones so far.

"He’s been a good teammate with them and he’s looking great," Kwatinetz said. "That team could easily win it all. They have a good chemistry and Perry is a part of that."

Jones isn’t a stranger to taking a backseat.

Throughout Jones’ two seasons at Baylor, he was touted as a potential lottery pick, but slid to No. 28 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft where he was widely viewed as a steal for the Thunder.

Like many players going from college to the NBA, though, Jones struggled transitioning from focal point to role player. With Durant and Serge Ibaka established in the frontcourt and the Thunder coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals, Jones’ lack of playing time was a confidence killer.

"No disrespect to the Thunder, but I went to a team that didn’t have a need for nobody like that," Jones said. "They had three superstars. They had everything set in stone that they needed.

"It’s just how the business goes. I think if I went somewhere else and had the opportunity to play in actual games, I think my career would have turned out differently for sure."

Jones’ opportunity finally came when Durant and Westbrook were out with injuries to start the 2014 season. In five starts, Jones averaged 15 points, including a 32-point outburst in a 93-90 loss to the Clippers.

For Jones, it was never as simple as receiving playing time. In his fifth start, he suffered a right knee contusion which forced him to miss 13 consecutive games. He was in and out of the Thunder rotation the rest of the season.

During Jones’ final season in Oklahoma City, his cousin, Trequan Blocker, was battling heart failure. After practice or games, Jones would drive the three hours south on I-35 to Dallas to see his dying family member. Even when Jones was traded to Boston in 2015, he was still flying to Dallas frequently.

"It caused a lot of conflict in my professional career because I wasn’t resting," Jones said. "I wasn’t all the way there as far as basketball goes."

After Jones was traded, he never played another NBA game.

"When he finally passed, I was in Boston and I wasn’t the same player no more," Jones said.

"A tough road for sure"

Since Jones was waived by Boston in 2016, he’s logged three years of inconsistent G League play with the Iowa Energy/Wolves (Minnesota’s G League affiliate) and a one-game stint in Russia. In that span, he’s battled a fractured hip, a torn quad, then a knee contusion so bad he missed the entire 2018-19 season.

What’s always come with Jones’ tantalizing skill set and injury history is skepticism.

At Baylor and as a pro, Jones carried a reputation for a lack of desire. On the night of the draft, Jones said he was approached by someone who said he was red-flagged ("I’ve heard it was things about my knee. I’ve heard it was things about my attitude," he said.) During the draft, his phone died and the then-21-year-old was terrified, wondering if he’d missed the call from a team that wanted to select him.

"That would be a terrible thing to think that they called me and my phone was dead and they didn’t pick me," Jones said. "If that’s the reason then that’s insane."

Jones talks about the red flags as if he still hasn’t fully come to grips with the self-inflicted portions of his story. But still just 27, Jones is attempting to move forward with the BIG3.

Jones lives in Los Angeles and he lights up when he talks about getting to be with his teammates every day. He wants to get back into an NBA camp or try to go overseas. Jones would welcome a return to Oklahoma City, where his uncle still lives.

Jones is having fun again playing basketball, with the BIG3 providing the platform.

"It’s been a tough road for sure, but things are definitely looking better," Jones said. "I’m healthy again and it’s kinda cool to be able to play the game I love regardless of the number of people on the court.

"This is just another stepping stone in my professional career. I try to have fun with the game I love. That’s all I can do."

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BIG3 Basketball

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena

Tickets: From $12 to $275 at www.big3.com

TV: CBS (1-3 p.m.) and CBS Sports Network (3-4 p.m.)

Perry Jones III averaged 3.4 points in hit 143 games in three seasons with the Thunder from 2012-15. [Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman archives]