The Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent guard Rod Strickland to a six-year contract Friday, only hours after losing guard Danny Ainge to the Phoenix Suns.
The dollar amount of the contract wasn't announced by the Blazers or Strickland.However, The Oregonian reported that the contract is worth about $12.6 million. It would begin at $1.2 million and increase a maximum of 30 percent yearly, resulting in salaries of $1.56 million in 1992-93, $1.92 million in 1993-94, $2.28 million in 1994-95, $2.64 million in 1995-96 and $3 million in 1996-97.
Strickland, 26, played the last 21/2 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs after spending his first 11/2 years with the New York Knicks.
Strickland, who figures to be part of a three-guard rotation with Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter for the Western Conference champions, said he is willing to come off the bench.
In four seasons, Strickland has averaged 11.4 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the field.