Jones opts out of contract, becomes free agent

James Jones, the Trail Blazers sharp-shooter and locker room leader, did not exercise the player-in option in his contract and has become a free agent, the Blazers said Thursday morning.

Jones had until midnight this morning to decide whether to exercise the option, which would have kept him in a Blazers uniform for the 2008-2009 while paying him just more than $3.1 million.

Jones will now test the free agent market and can begin negotiating with other teams on July 1. He can still sign with the Blazers.

Jones, who turns 28 in October, played in 58 games last season and averaged 8.0 points and finished third in the NBA in three-point percentage (44.4). His 91 three-pointers were third highest on the Blazers (Webster 123, Blake 121).

But shooting was only part of the story with Jones. He was a strong presence in the locker room and displayed a veteran savvy on the court that often produced subtle, game-changing plays. The Blazers were 21-6 when he played more than 24 minutes in a game.

But therein lies the problem: Jones was healthy enough to play 24 or more minutes only 27 times. He battled a balky left knee from Day One in training camp. The knee problem - which was never pinpointed, and only described as a bone bruise - caused him to miss two stints: 12 games the first month of the season and 12 games leading up and just beyond the All-Star break.

The Blazers now have 12 players under contract, NOT counting Spaniard Rudy Fernandez, who is expected to be under contract shortly. The maximum is 15.

(blog.oregonlive.com)