PORTLAND, Ore. — Former Trail Blazer Darius Miles is finding the road back to the NBA bumpier than usual.

Just hours before the 6-foot-9 small forward cleared waivers Friday morning, Portland team president Larry Miller sent an e-mail to the other 29 NBA teams threatening litigation if a team takes Miles simply to adversely impact Portland's salary cap.

If Miles plays in two more games this season, Portland would be on the hook for $18 million — the amount remaining on Miles' contract, which would count against the salary cap and force the team to pay luxury tax.

"Persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers contract rights and perspective economic opportunities," the e-mail reads, according to SI.com and Yahoo.com, which obtained it. "Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation."

As a result of the e-mail, ESPN.com reported the issue would be discussed Friday at a previously scheduled meeting between NBA and players' union attorneys.

"Under league rules, teams are free to sign Darius Miles to a Uniform Player Contract if they wish to secure his services as a player, and any such contract would be approved by the NBA," the league said in a memo sent to teams Friday.

The Trail Blazers did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press seeking comment early Friday. Miles' agent, Jeff Wechsler, could not be reached for comment.

The Blazers waived Miles, who has not played for the team since microfracture surgery on his right knee in November 2006, at the end of last season after determining he was medically unable to play.

Miles has played in eight games this season — six preseason games for the Boston Celtics, then two games for the Memphis Grizzlies before being released earlier his week.

Miles, the third overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2000 NBA draft, was on the Blazers' roster from 2004-08. He signed a six-year, $48 million deal with the team in September 2004.

In 414 career games, he has averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.15 blocks.