Lauren Jackson's desire to finish WNBA career with Storm brought her back to Seattle

When Lauren Jackson sat down at her parents' waterfront home in Australia, to consider her options for the 2009 season, the significance of this particular signature hit her.

Jackson, entering her ninth WNBA season, could do what Ken Griffey Jr. had done, and return to Seattle to retire where she started. Only Los Angeles center Lisa Leslie and Sacramento guard Ticha Penicheiro, with 11 seasons, have played for their WNBA teams longer than Jackson.

All-Stars like Yolanda Griffith, Sheryl Swoopes, Katie Smith and Chamique Holdsclaw have shifted all over the league like chess pieces.

Not Jackson.

So she ended the biggest debate of the WNBA offseason, signing a one-year deal worth $99,500 with the Storm on May 4, rejecting the brief thought she had of leaving the franchise she helped cultivate for Phoenix.

"I don't think it was a bad thing that I was thinking of going down there, but it's something that probably in the future I would have regretted," said Jackson via phone from Albury, Australia. "In Europe and Australia, as well, it's so unlikely that a player starts and finishes their career in one place. Everyone explores other opportunities. Finishing my career with the same team is something that I really didn't think about until I actually sat down and had to weigh out my options. It would be really special for me to be able to do that."

Jackson signed only for the 2009 season, continuing her theme of not locking into long-term deals due to overseas and national-team commitments. But Jackson is committed to playing only in Seattle — "unless I'm pushed out," she teased.

A "huge stack" of emotional letters from Storm season-ticket holders and a video tribute sealed the connection for the Aussie. The package was given to Jackson by Storm coach Brian Agler when he traveled overseas to visit her.

"It rang a bell about how much I really care about the city, as well," said Jackson, 28, who was 19 when drafted No. 1 overall in 2001. "I've grown up there."

Her future is contingent both on her health and Agler, who is also the Storm's director of player personnel. He is in the final season of a two-year deal, and Jackson wants to know his future with the organization.

"It's a factor," said Susie Jarosch, Jackson's Seattle-based agent. "It's not the primary factor, but it would definitely be considered. Lauren has learned a lot in each stage of her career in Seattle, and he's perfect at this stage of her career."

With rosters limited to 11 players and Jackson returning after missing 13 games in 2008 due to ankle surgery and participation in the Olympics, Agler understands the power forward's needs. Having lost Griffith in free agency, he re-signed Australian Olympian Suzy Batkovic and Janell Burse, who played on the 2004 Storm championship team, to play with Jackson inside.

The Storm also drafted post player Ashley Walker and will bring back Ashley Robinson and Camille Little.

"My body is feeling great and physically I feel really fit," said Jackson, who played fewer minutes overseas. "I don't feel overworked, I don't feel tired. I'm ready to get back into it and really give the league a good shot. I'm in familiar territory, and I just want to get back there and enjoy it."

Training camp opens today, but Jackson won't return until May 31. She's maid of honor in the wedding of Batkovic, a friend since childhood.

"There's such a familiarity for Lauren in Seattle, we weren't surprised at all," Phoenix general manager Ann Meyers Drysdale said of Jackson's decision. "Women are more loyal than the men, but the men are in a position to get more money. You'll see men, whether it be a Kevin Garnett or Shaquille O'Neal, leave. Lauren is a different animal because she's been playing so long. It'll be interesting to see how long she plays in the WNBA."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com