James Jones: 'I'm definitely open to coming back to the Blazers

James Jones on Thursday said he has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Trail Blazers next season, hours after he decided to become an unrestricted free agent by not exercising the player-in option in his contract with Portland.

Jones, who could have made $3.1 million this season, said he is anxious to test the free agent market and determine what his worth is around the league. In the course of that exploration, he said he will keep his door open to the Blazers.

"This was a tough decision,'' Jones said from Miami, where he had just landed after a vacation in the Bahamas. "But I'm definitely open to coming back to the Blazers, without a doubt. I would put it at 50-50; I would love to return there, but it would have to be under circumstances that are scripted perfectly. And that's left to be seen.''

Jones, who turns 28 in October, was hesitant to reveal what his perfectly scripted scenario would have to include. He said he wanted a "fair" contract, but added that he doesn't have a preconceived idea regarding a dollar amount or length of contract, and that he wanted to be on a team where he was "valued".

"I just want a fair deal,'' Jones said. "I won't throw anything out there because every organization's sentiment can differ. I want to be where I'm appreciated and valued.''

Jones said he felt he was valued by the Portland organization.

"There's no doubt about that, and that's why I have such an affinity for Portland,'' Jones said.

The crux of Jones' free agency lies in his desire to secure a long-term deal, or at least a deal longer than one season. If he is to land a long-term deal, he will almost certainly have to prove he has recovered from a sore left knee, which caused him to miss 24 games last season - a 12-game stint at the beginning of the season and a 12-game stint before the All-Star break.

"My knee feels great,'' Jones said. "I've had time to strengthen it, which was the biggest part of the ordeal last season. But for the past month I have been training, playing, riding my bike ... there is no pain.''

Jones said he hasn't identified any teams that he would like to play for next season.

"There is going to be a lot of activity in the draft, where established teams are looking to add, and young teams getting better ... I would like to sift through that and see what is best for me. But I feel I'm a good fit for any team that needs a shooter.''

Jones had the NBA's third best three-point percentage last season, making 44.4 percent while averaging 8.0 points. Perhaps more importantly, he became the sage of the team, often mentoring players like Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack, while also providing savvy and clutch plays on the court. When Jones played 24 or more minutes last season, the Blazers were 21-6.

With Jones becoming a free agent, the Blazers have 12 players, plus Rudy Fernandez, under contract. Where that number will stand after tonight's draft, and what the Blazers' roster looks like after tonight, will be under the watchful eye of Jones.

"I've always been a guy to take one step at a time,'' Jones said. "Right now, this is a decision I feel good with; it was a tough decision, but I feel good with it. Now, I will see what teams do in the draft, and then I will get a gauge for my value in free agency. Then we will go from there.

"Hopefully, I'll land back in the Black-and-Red. I felt like I was able to grow as a player in Portland. I really want to thank the Portland family - Nate, the players _ for allowing me to do that.''

(blog.oregonlive.com)