The Associated Press

Team seeks salary cap relief for two years of contract

PORTLAND — The Portland Trail Blazers have requested waivers on injured forward Darius Miles, a move to save money under the NBA salary cap.

A medical examiner appointed by the league and the players association determined the damage to Miles’ right knee is severe enough to qualify as a career-ending injury, General Manager Kevin Pritchard said Monday.

Miles, 26, had microfracture surgery in 2006, and has not played for the Trail Blazers since. Tuesday marks the second anniversary of his last NBA appearance.

“Given the serious nature of his knee injury, we agree with the doctor’s conclusion that Darius has sustained a career-ending injury,” Pritchard said in a statement. “This allows Darius and the Trail Blazers to move forward and achieve closure to this matter.”

Miles signed a six-year, $48 million contract in 2004. By waiving him, the remaining two years and $18 million on his contract come off the team’s salary cap. If Miles signs with another team after being waived and plays in 10 games in any one of the next two seasons, his salary would go back on Portland’s books.

The Los Angeles Clippers drafted the once high-flying Miles out of East St. Louis High School with the third overall pick of the 2000 draft. Kenyon Martin and Stromile Swift were the first choices.

Miles played six seasons with Los Angeles, Cleveland and Portland, averaging 10.7 points in 412 games. The forward appeared in 145 games for the Trail Blazers after arriving from Cleveland in exchange for Jeff McInnis and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje on Jan. 21, 2004.

As a Trail Blazer, Miles averaged 12.9 points. He scored a career-high 47 points against Denver in 2005, but also earned a two-game suspension that season for a verbal confrontation with then-coach Maurice Cheeks.

Miles also has two acting credits, appearing in the films “Van Wilder” and “The Perfect Score.”