HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ben Golliver: Chad Buchanan, Rich Cho & Kevin Pritchard are all at Hoop Summit practice tonight. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Portland Trail Blazers, Kevin Pritchard, Chad Buchanan, Rich Cho 

Plus, management has no interest in four rookies showing at training camp, counting Portland's own second-round pick and the one from Houston in the Camby trade that also netted Jonny Flynn and Hasheem Thabeet. The Blazers can even see not spending both No. 1s in June. Instead, the first-rounders will be dangled. "That's definitely something that would be appealing for us," said Chad Buchanan, the acting general manager. "A big part of acquiring that pick (from the Nets), we realize that there'll be value not only to us in the draft but also to other teams where you might be able to flip that high pick into a proven player that is ready to help your team now. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

"At the end of the day, if it's two lottery picks in a pretty strong draft, we're OK adding that to our team and trying to add the proven veterans through free agency. We like to have the flexibility to do either. "We're open to moving one of those picks for a proven player. But we also like a lot of the players that could potentially be in that draft range. We feel like it's kind of a win-win for us." NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

Portland is 12th in the West and within striking distance of the playoffs. Barring the shocking outcome of making the postseason with a stripped-down roster, the Blazers will find out their own draft spot, too. "The quality of the draft [factors in] when you're dealing with any trade involving picks," Buchanan said. "But at the end of the day, getting a pick that could potentially be as high as four-five-six, regardless of the draft, was going to be appealing for us. "We were kind of headed in the wrong direction. If there was a move out there that would have improved us significantly this season, we would have been open to it. But we also were realistic that this might be time for us to shift course and start looking beyond the end of this season and to the future a little bit with our team. This trade opportunity that came up with Gerald and the pick was just too hard for us to pass up. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

"We'd like to add some young talent to our roster, but also add some proven NBA players. We feel like right now we've got a mix of both. We want to blend that and have a mix of proven guys in their prime with some young developing guys so you can really build long-term. We want to be a consistent team that every year you feel like you have a chance to make a run." NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

Ben Golliver: Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan said releasing Mehmet Okur is a possibility if the team needs a roster spot in the event of injury. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Mehmet Okur 

John Canzano: Larry Miller and Chad Buchanan have gone "dark" and won't speak until after trade deadline. I hope team realizes it can say more on court. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Larry Miller, Chad Buchanan 

“If there is a move that helps our team now, we’ll make it,” Blazers GM Chad Buchanan said. “But we’re not going to sacrifice anything long term for the short term. We’re realistic about where we’re at right now. We’re going to have to fight to get into the playoffs. We’ve dug ourselves a little hole. But we don’t want to make a decision right now that will impact us negatively long term just to salvage something short term.” Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

But this much seems certain: the Blazers will not sacrifice their cap space this offseason to plug in an expensive, temporary fix this season. “We’ve got to look long term,” Buchanan said. “We are where we are. We’re a .500 team right now. That’s how we’ve played this season, that’s how we’ve played the last 20 games. We’re realistic about things. But we’re not going to close the door on anything. If there’s an opportunity to help the team that doesn’t sacrifice the long term, we’ll look at it.” Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Chad Buchanan 

"We are looking at every option right now," said Miller, who works with acting general manager Chad Buchanan to shape the roster. "If there are some good deals out there to be made, then we will deal. If not, we will ride out the season and see what we can do at the end of the season. But we still want to make the playoffs. For sure. It's something we are still shooting for." Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Paul Allen, Larry Miller, Chad Buchanan 

Miller says Chad Buchanan mediated Felton/McMillan after Felton's public comments: "Chad stepped in. Nate talked directly to Raymond. I think they worked it out. I think what he was saying really was that he felt Nate was disappointed in him & had lost confidence in him. I don't necessarily think Nate has lost confidence... I think Nate is trying to figure out how to get Raymond out of whatever it is that's causing him not to play the way we know he can play... Chad & Nate both talked to him." Sulia

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Raymond Felton, Nate McMillan 

Center Joel Przybilla is set to return to the Trail Blazers after he said he passed a physical by the team on Sunday in Portland. The team is expected to sign the 32-year-old Przybilla on Monday for the remainder of the season. First, however, they must waive a player from their roster to create room. The decision figures to be between second-year guard Armon Johnson and injured center Greg Oden. Acting general manager Chad Buchanan on Sunday said the team will not discuss the move. "We aren't going to comment on anything until (Monday),'' Buchanan said in a text message. "Our focus today is on LaMarcus (Aldridge) and the All-Star Game.'' Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Armon Johnson, Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla 

Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan on Joel Freeland's reported extension: "We still want Joel Freeland in Portland next year. That hasn't changed. We talk frequently with his representatives... We're very well aware where things are at with his extensions talks with Malaga... I know there are discussions but there's nothing finalized with Joel and Malaga... Sportando

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan on Greg Oden's left knee procedure: "Still up in the air on the date.. It's a day-by-day update we get from the doctors there [in Vail] on when they are ready to do it." Why delay? "It's because of the ankle... We've listened to the doctors there on when they are ready to go in and do it. They haven't set an exact date in stone but it should be here shortly." Sulia

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Injuries, Greg Oden 

Acting GM Chad Buchanan said Blazers can't commit right now to bringing back Greg Oden next season: "That's a ways off for us. He's going to be an unrestricted free agent. Us, just like the other 29 teams, will have to take into consideration the information. We've supported Greg from Day 1. It's a little ways off for us to give you any idea... He's going to have options just like we would. When we get to [free agency] and have more information, we'll be able to make a decision." Sulia

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Chad Buchanan, Greg Oden 

The negotiations remain amicable. Blazers acting general manager Chad Buchanan and Ndiaye talked on Friday afternoon in San Antonio, then shortly that night after the Spurs game. While smiling, they shook hands and patted each other on the chest. If a deal isn't reached by the 25th, it's not the end of the world. It would make Batum a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Blazers can match any offer. Batum wants to stay in Portland. The Blazers want him to remain in Portland. They just have to agree on a number. But before they can agree on a number, I think they need to see exactly what type of player Batum is going to be. "I know I can do it every night," Batum said. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Chad Buchanan, Nicolas Batum 

Portland Trail Blazer acting general manager Chad Buchanan said Tuesday afternoon his team has not been involved in any trade discussions involving the Nets acquiring Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic. CSNNW.com

Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Dwight Howard, Chad Buchanan 

Portland was rumored just a few days ago to be a third party in a deal that would have netted the Trail Blazers multiple first-round draft picks in exchange for Gerald Wallace. But Buchanan said the Blazers are not looking to do anything with anyone right now. "Absolutely not," Buchanan said. "No. We haven't had any discussions with anybody. We like our team. We like the makeup and chemistry of our group and we're very comfortable with where we're at. CSNNW.com

Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Dwight Howard, Chad Buchanan 

Allen also said he is in good health after battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma and a heart procedure in recent years, and that he does not expect to hire interim general manager Chad Buchanan for the permanent job. Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Paul Allen, Chad Buchanan 

"We've thought highly of Jamal for a long time and think he's a great fit for our team," said Trail Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. "He brings a scorer's touch and veteran leadership that will help us immediately." Winner of the 2009-10 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award with Atlanta, Crawford (6-5, 200) played the last two seasons for the Hawks and placed second in the NBA in bench scoring (14.2 ppg) last season. With 1,307 career 3-pointers, Crawford ranks 13th among active NBA players and his 33 career four-point plays is an NBA record. NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Chad Buchanan, Jamal Crawford