Blazers bring in James Jones

JOE FREEMAN The Oregonian Staff-

The Trail Blazers officially welcomed one potential starting small forward and all but officially waved goodbye to another Thursday at the Rose Garden.

James Jones, whom the Blazers acquired in a draft-night trade with the Phoenix Suns, was formally introduced at a news conference, pledging to bring strong shooting, professionalism and a team-first attitude to the Blazers’ revamped roster.

Meanwhile, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard made his own pledge Thursday regarding his team’s small forward position, saying publicly for the first time that last year’s starter — restricted free agent Ime Udoka — is “highly unlikely” to return next season.

“I think it’s going to be very difficult (to bring Ime back) at this time,” Pritchard said.

In a span of three days, restricted free agent Travis Outlaw re-signed with the team for three years, Jones was formally introduced as a Blazer and Udoka essentially was let go. When training camp starts in October, this week could be remembered as the defining moment in the evolution of the Blazers’ small forward position. Read more