[The Oregonian] Travis Outlaw re-signs with Portland

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/07/blazers_resign_outlaw_to_three.html

The Trail Blazers made good on their promise to retain free agent Travis Outlaw, signing the 22-year-old small forward to a three-year contract Tuesday afternoon.

Details of the deal were not immediately available but Bill Duffy, Outlaw's agent, told The Oregonian that the contract is worth roughly $12 million. Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard refused comment.

"Travis is really excited with where the team is going, with the direction and enthusiasm, and he wants to play a great role in that and continue to develop," Duffy said. "Quite frankly, Travis was not pushing me that hard to look in other directions."

Duffy said "three or four" teams expressed interest in Outlaw, a restricted free agent who averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 22.9 minutes per game last season. The 6-foot-9 player, who will enter his fifth professional season in 2007-08, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Outlaw, who was drafted by the Blazers out of high school with the 23rd overall pick in 2003, is expected to compete for the starting small forward position next season. He has started 14 games in his career.

Because Outlaw was a restricted free agent, the Blazers had the opportunity to match offers from other teams, and Pritchard and coach Nate McMillan had said for weeks that they planned to match any such offer. Turns out that won't be necessary.

"He has a chance to start and solidify himself," Duffy said. "He's comfortable with Nate and they're comfortable with him. It's a good fit."

-- Joe Freeman

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So much for my #1 free agent target of the offseason.....

3 years/$12 million? Damn, that's pretty cheap too!

 

I agree and i'm fairly confident that guy will be Outlaw. His game has improved so much and his athleticism stands out no matter who is on the floor. He finished the season so strong (19 PPG for the month of April), I think he's ready to have his coming out party.