spursreport.com
When asked where he wants to play next season, Stephen Jackson doesn't hold back. "Hopefully back in San Antonio," Jackson says.
Jackson said those words yesterday when he was back in his hometown of Port-Arthur, Texas headlining a basketball camp at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center for Discovery 2004- the annual summer program- offered by Lamar State College at Port Arthur, for area elementary school students.
Jackson was the starting guard for the 2003 World Champion Spurs before leaving to play for the Atlanta Hawks this past season.
Jackson will have an opportunity to speak to any team who wishes to bid for his services starting July 1st.
After averaging a career-high 18.1 points per game last season in Atlanta, Jackson decided to opt out of his deal and should make a splash in free agency. The Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers are among several teams expected to bid for Jackson's services this summer, but Jackson would love to return to San Antonio if he has the opportunity.
"Stephen was an important part of the team (the Spurs)," Jackson's agent Dan Fegan said nearly three weeks ago. "He likes it there."
The Spurs reportedly made Jackson a three-year offer at about 10 million U.S. dollars last summer, and he rejected it.
He wound up with a two-year, 2.1 million U.S. dollars deal from the Atlanta Hawks.