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Cavaliers' Jones plans on retiring after 2017-18 season

Rocky W. Widner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran James Jones knows exactly when he's going to call it career, telling the Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd that he plans on retiring at the conclusion of the 2017-18 campaign.

"I know playing 15 years is a number where I can look back and I can be like, ‘I accomplished something,'" Jones said. "Fourteen vs. 15 may not be much, but to be able to say I played 15 years, that’s enough for me to hang ‘em up."

In an ideal world, the Cavaliers would put a three-peat together to cap off Jones' career, although the 36-year-old understands such a milestone is easier said than done.

"After winning it last summer I felt great. I can continue to play, I love the game a lot. But at some point, you have to know," he added. "And watching guys who continue to play this game at a high level near the end of their careers, I just wanted to make sure when I did go out I knew when I was going out, so I don’t have to leave anything in the tank. And if I didn’t have enough left in the tank to get there, it’d make it easy for me before that time comes to hang it up."

Jones already has three titles on his resume, developing a reputation over the years for being a follower of LeBron James in order to capture rings, especially considering that he doesn't hit the floor all that often.

While his minutes are few and far between, Jones remains a highly respected figure within the Cavaliers organization, and someone the team's stars have always appreciated having around.

There's still plenty of time for him to change his mind about retiring, though.

"This is what I’m thinking today," Jones said. "This is my thought right now. This is my plan."

He's currently averaging just 2.8 points in 10 appearances for the reigning champs, totaling 50 minutes of court time.

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