ChrisHaynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)MarcSpears of Yahoo! Sports reports Jamal Crawford has officially senthis letter to the Portland Trail Blazers making him an unrestrictedfree agent.

Previously,Andy Miller (Crawford's agent) and the Trail Blazers agreed to extendhis opt out deadline to June 29. The old deadline was June 15.

IfCrawford was used in a trade, he would have been granted his BirdRights and the plan was if he wasn't traded before or on draft night(June 28), Crawford was expected to opt out and become anunrestricted free agent the very next day.

However,Crawford consulted with his family and close friends and they havedecided that this was the best option for him and his family.

Iwanted to experience free agency truly for the first time,Crawford told CSNNW.com. The last two years I've essentiallyplayed on one-year contracts and I can't do that to my familyanymore. I want a multi-year deal.

Crawfordsigned a 2-year, 10 million deal last December with the TrailBlazers with an opt-out clause after the first season. In his loneseason with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds,and 3.2 assist per game.