Cavs consider Damian Jones as back-up center

INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers are going to take a prolonged look at big man Damian Jones as backup center. Judging from his game Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks, Jones has a nice touch around the basket and is quite active in the paint. The 6-foot-11, 245-pounder had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in 19 minutes in the Cavs' 108-107 loss in the preseason opener. He made all four of his field-goal attempts but missed all four of his free throws. "He's a very intelligent team defender," Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Typically, you find him in the right spot. He's picked up what we do. He's a good communicator and rim protector. He's not up or down." The Cavs host the Orlando Magic at 7 o'clock tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. They will likely play the entire preseason without starting center Jarrett Allen, out with a bone bruise in his ankle. Bickerstaff said he hopes Allen will be available for the regular-season opener in Brooklyn on Oct. 25. In the meantime, the coaching staff will get a long look at Jones and 13-year veteran Tristan Thompson. Bickerstaff started Evan Mobley at center against Atlanta and surrounded him with four backcourt players. "We're working with smaller lineups around Evan at the 5," the coach said. Jones, 28, has been a two-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors — a place the Cavs want to attain. "It takes culture," he said. "It's a grind. It takes everyone being committed to it." Jones, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has become a big fan of Bickerstaff. "He's very detail oriented," he said. "He explains everything fully. We're getting up and down a lot." Jones was acquired from the Utah Jazz last summer for cash considerations. He will earn $2.6 million this season. Jones was a first-round pick of the Warriors in 2016 from Vanderbilt and has played for Golden State, Atlanta, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento and Utah. Jones is working hard on fitting in with his new team. "I'm playing with a lot of different lineups," he said. "I'm trying to get a feel of what to do in these lineups. I'm learning, watching film of Jarrett (Allen) and his actions in previous years." TOUGH NIGHT Cavs point guard Darius Garland had a horrible start in Atlanta. He shot 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-5 from the 3-point line for two points in 16 minutes. GETTING UP AND DOWN The Cavs have been working hard on conditioning thus far in camp. "We're getting after it," Bickerstaff said. "It's with intent and purpose. We want to make this difficult. We want to put ourselves in a conditioning space that gives us an advantage. That's the plan for now." MILE A MINUTE Forward Georges Niang never seems to stop talking. "He has the ability to teach and correct through humor," Bickerstaff said. "He brings a leadership style. He can share and people listen. If you can laugh at yourself, you can go at other people." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.