When the Cleveland Cavaliers surprised everyone by capturing the 2016 NBA Title, three guys who once played for the Pacers were on the Cavs’ roster and celebrated a championship — including one draft pick.
Dahntay Jones, James Jones, and James Posey.
Dahntay Jones:
The Pacers signed Dahntay to a four-year deal in 2009 but he wouldn’t finish that contract in Indy. They sent him to Dallas, along with Darren Collison, for Ian Mahinmi. He was known for his trash talk and for having his mom and kids often around.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG3clKnxQBc/
James Jones:
J. Jones was the Pacers’ 49th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. They shipped him to Phoenix in 2005 for a second-round pick. Playing alongside LeBron James, Jones has won three titles and his team has reached the NBA Finals six consecutive years.
Congratulations to both @KingJames and James Jones on bringing a championship to the city of #Cleveland! #ALLin216 pic.twitter.com/A3EWlZK6CD
— Max Strauss (@StraussMax) June 20, 2016
(coach) James Posey:
The Pacers were Posey’s seventh and final team. He appeared in 49 games during the 2010-11 campaign but then the club used their one-time amnesty clause to wipe away his contract. Posey then joined the Cavaliers as an assistant coach in 2014.
3 TIME CHAMPION, JAMES (POSEY) pic.twitter.com/36Z9dQj1tM
— Clint (@ClintFromOhio) June 20, 2016
Others within the Cavaliers organization who once worked for the Pacers:
Dionna Widder – VP of Sales & Service. She left the Pacers as the Senior Director of Ticket Sales in 2012.
Alan Mowrey – Vice President of Franchise Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers Operating Company/Cleveland Gladiators. As the Director of Season Ticket Sales, he also left the team in 2012.
Megan Tsangaris – Inside Sales. She was a Fever ball kid for two seasons and then the video intern for another (2013).
Note: If I am forgetting anyone, please let me know.