James Jones likely to opt out this year

[DanBlazer]

James Jones likely will opt out of his contract this summer, but the Blazer forward -- second in the NBA in 3-point accuracy at .487 -- likes Portland and would prefer to re-sign here.
GM Kevin Pritchard likes Jones, too, and won't let him go. -- Portland Tribune

As per ESPN rumor central. Hopefully he doesnt demand a ridiculous contract like Udoka did last year. I think he will stay with the team though, just wants to benefit from his great play this year with a new contract.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=120578834326187900

Jones is mentioned near the bottom of the article.

[mojomarc]

I'm not worried about what he'll demand, but rather worried about what he might command. Kopono got the MLE last year, didn't he? IMO, that's too much to pay for Jones.

[DanBlazer]

I'd say for Jones 4 mil per year would be reasonable, like what Blake and Outlaw get now because he is a valuable bench player but not a starter. I think thats around what he will get paid as well.

[Twith]

I think all you have to do is look at our W/L with him vs without him when deciding if he's worth the MLE.

MLE = average salary
Jones = above average player (for us at least)

[BlackMamba]

well, right now he is earning 2.9 and his option is 3.2.

maybe by opting out he would expect the blazers to offer him a better salary than the 3.2 he would have next season, and i think that between 4 and 4.5 is a pretty good offer and he doesn't seem to be the kind of player that will hate you for the money.

well... i hope he isn't.

[Wizenheimer]

I'm not worried about what he'll demand, but rather worried about what he might command. Kopono got the MLE last year, didn't he? IMO, that's too much to pay for Jones.

it was too much to pay for Kapono as well

[JD45]

Let him go.

Jones is a useful player, but he is one dimensional. Guys like that are always available for the MLE to fill in holes once the team's core has been built. But the Blazers still have work to do to finish building the core before they fill in with role players.

The cap room in 2009 will be far more valuable than Jones. The only reason I see to sign Jones is if the Blazers blow their cap room trading for the final piece this summer. Otherwise, it is best to wish Jones well with his new team.

[chrbal]

Jones is probably just looking for a slight bump in pay and a longer commitment. I'm guessing he'll give the Blazers a break over some team like the Knicks or whomever (trying to think of a team that needs him) offering him the full MLE.

[Wizenheimer]

Jones is probably just looking for a slight bump in pay and a longer commitment. I'm guessing he'll give the Blazers a break over some team like the Knicks or whomever (trying to think of a team that needs him) offering him the full MLE.

I'll point out that he's from Miami and still has family there.

And the Heat desperately need outside shooting. They may be willing to offer the full MLE to him and he may find playing in his hometown real appealing.

I doubt portland would offer him an MLE level contract though unless they were determined to trade webster this summer

[Billy]

I would really like to keep Jones if he comes for a reasonable price. Right now he's more than reasonable. If Portland could lock him into a 4 year 12 million dollar deal I'd be happy with that. But I don't see him going for that--especially if there is a bigger offer on the table.

I think he likes it here, but it's not like he'd walk away from 15 million dollars or more. If he's offered a full MLE deal he'll make a lot more money than Portland will be willing to pay I'm sure.

[SinceClyde]

What chrbal said. if he could make another million a year and be extended for 2-4 years, he'd probably take it. Even if he commands MLE, I'd love to see him back. I think he's worth it in this team of young guns.

[Spykes]

I'm with Wiz here, I could see the Heat offering him a decent sized contract.

I'd love to see us resign him as I believe he's a pretty vital part of this team. Teams need shooters like him. And that's not even getting into the lockerroom presence he brings.

That said, there's no need to go crazy in resigning him. I'd say a deal similar to what Outlaw and Blake got is fair for him. If a team goes crazy and offers him a full MLE deal, then you seriously have to consider letting him walk. But at that point, I'd at least explore a S&T option.

The only reason I'd let him walk for any amount is because of his knees. Those were a pretty big problem for him this season and doctors weren't ever able to diagnose what was wrong with them.

[BlackMamba]

i think he could even be more valuable for what he gives this blazer team off the court than on the court.

[d-train]

If Jones opts out, I say let him go. We can replace him later when the cost isn't a crack at an all-star.

[swede]

Honestly we don't need to put that big of premium on signing James Jones. We do need to replace his loss with another veteran signing. Oden + Aldridge + Roy and plug n play veteran role players from there. Unless we get lucky or should I say have Pritchard do something miraculous. The 09 cap space plan could be used on a high level free agent, but he still will unlikely have the impact our three core players will already have (Roy, LA, Oden).. I am a fan of balancing this roster out. A veteran presence to backup both Aldridge and Oden with more offense then Pryz. Several shooters. A PG that can slash.. we have alot of needs - I don't see one acquisition solving that unless our current roster blossoms into something it isn't.

[zzaj]

I too would like to see Jones back. Chalk me up to one who is really worried about his injury issues though. If it really is "tendenitis" then it probably won't go away.

Hopefully we could get him back for just under the MLE. With Oden in the middle he would seriously open up the floor.

[sabi]

We won't have a shooter as good as Jones if we don't resign him. He'll also be that much more valuable next year once Oden starts to play. Reminds me of how Kapono and Shaq were great compliments in that Heat championship team.

[listerine]

It should be noted that Jones' return from this last injury coincided with Aldridge's recent good play. Both happened in that Laker game.

If someone else wants to take the time to analyze stats on how often they play together and how they perform together, go ahead. But on a game-by-game basis, Aldridge got better when Jones came back.

And it makes logical sense. Aldridge has been going inside more; Jones is the only true shooter whom defense have to respect. It stretches the defense.

Unless Martell, Travis, or Roy become true deep shooting threats, the team needs a bomber like Jones.

[PDXKnight]

I think another team will try to overpay for James Jones but I'd seriously consider paying him a decent-sized offer. The Blazers clearly play better when he's on the floor and I think the Blazers should go for a 4-4.5 million offer to begin with. The Blazers' need for a shooter is clear and I'm not convinced Martel or any other Blazer can fill in for his void. With him, the Blazers are about 10 games over .500 and may have made the playoffs had he been healthy all season, and I think keeping him is essential for this team for both his shooting and leadership. That said, it wouldn't make sense to pay too much for him.

[Telfaire]

I appreciate Jones' contribution this year....but as long as wer'e keeping Webster, him and Outlaw should be aheah of Jones at SF. So why waste capspace on him?
Dont forget, with Oden's coming back, LMA would play less center and more at PF, which means Outlaw's PT would need to be divided about equally between the 2 forward positions.