Blazers GM speaks out about Turkoglu, free agency
By Associated PressPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — After losing out on Hedo Turkoglu, the Portland Trail Blazers are considering Paul Millsap. Turkoglu, who helped Orlando to the NBA finals, arrived in Portland last week to speak with the Blazers before negotiations were abruptly cut off. He has since been acquired by the Toronto Raptors. "We got to a point where we both felt comfortable," Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard told reporters on Thursday. "But here's what I do know and that is if it wasn't right for him, then it isn't right for us." Pritchard said the Blazers are still actively seeking players who could improve the team. Portland is $7.7 million under the salary cap for the 2009-10 season. He confirmed reports that the Trail Blazers were looking at Utah's Millsap, as well as other players he did not name. Millsap is a restricted free agent, meaning the Jazz would have seven days to match any offer the Blazers might make. Millsap averaged 13.5 points last season, getting double-doubles in 19 straight games while starting for Boozer, and has career averages of 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds since the Jazz selected him with the No. 47 pick in the 2006 draft. "We're looking at all our options. We're excited about all the possibilities and maybe they happen tomorrow, maybe they happen in two months, maybe they happen at the trade deadline," Pritchard said. Pritchard also addressed reports that talks concerning contract extensions for All-Star Brandon Roy and forward LaMarcus Aldridge — who anchor the Blazers — have stalled. "It's amicable. We plan to make it amicable. More importantly, Brandon and LaMarcus will be here for a long time," he said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. |
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