Blazers Release F Jared Jeffries

The Portland Trail Blazers announced the release of forward Jared Jeffries on Thursday. Jeffries was the only member of the Blazers not to conduct an exit interview with the media.

The Portland Trail Blazers have waived forward Jared Jeffries, General Manager Neil Olshey announced today.
In 38 games during his only season with the Trail Blazers, Jeffries averaged 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game in 2012-13.

In 11 career NBA seasons, Jeffries has averaged 4.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 21.6 minutes in 629 games (335 starts) with Washington, New York, Houston and Portland.

Here's GM Neil Olshey's comment on the move from his discussion with reporters on Thursday.

Jared was well aware we were always going to have to waive him. He was a part of a sign-and-trade where we had to do a minimum of three years. His second year would have been guaranteed within five days after the end of the regular season. We felt it appropriate it while he was here. It was a player we were going to have to renounce anyway to create the maximum cap room.

Like we told Jared, we'll look into it again at the end of the summer. If we have a need and he doesn't have a job, it's something we can discuss. Right now, where this organization is going, we need every ounce of cap room we can get to create the best roster possible.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter