HoopsHype.com Rumors

There are rising fears within the Nets, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein, that the Portland Trail Blazers will come after Lopez -- a restricted free agent -- as their next frontcourt target after a bid to sign fellow restricted free agent Roy Hibbert away from Indiana has been foiled by the Pacers, who have matched the four-year offer to Hibbert worth nearly $60 million that Portland had intended to offer but ultimately decided against. ESPN.com

Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez, Joel Freeland 

Joe Freeman: There are some issues with Malaga buyout, however. The #Blazers can pay 500,000 Euro, but Freeland and his camp must come up with the rest. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

The impending move will see Freeland miss GB’s two friendlies against Portugal in Sheffield this weekend in another disruption to the side’s build-up to the Olympic Games. The 25-year-old began his career with Solent before moving to Gran Canaria before joining Malaga “Unicaja player Joel Freeland has informed the club of his decision to end his contract and move to the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA,” said a Malaga spokesperson. “After receiving this statement from the British player, Unicaja is now waiting to formalise a definitive agreement between the three parties involved; the player, the Portland Trail Blazers and Unicaja.” MVP 24/7

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland 

Great Britain forward Joel Freeland will play for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers next season subject to finalising the buyout of his contract, according to his Spanish club Unicaja Malaga. A deal must now be worked out between the two clubs and Freeland regarding the 1.5million euro buyout of his Unicaja contract, which has two years left to run.Great Britain forward Joel Freeland will play for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers next season subject to finalising the buyout of his contract, according to his Spanish club Unicaja Malaga. Dailymail.co.uk

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland 

'Unicaja player Joel Freeland has informed the club of his decision to end his contract and move to the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA,' said a statement on the Unicaja website. 'After receiving this statement from the British player, Unicaja is now waiting to formalise a definitive agreement between the three parties involved; the player, the Portland Trail Blazers and Unicaja.' Dailymail.co.uk

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland 

Ken Berger: Joel Freeland's three-year, $9M agreement with the Blazers is contingent on resolving a buyout with his Spanish League team, source says. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

Joel Freeland will travel to Portland in the next few days to sign a three-year contract with the Trail Blazers. TuBasket.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland 

Recently you were in Houston with the guys from the Trail Blazers' management. How did that go? Joel Freeland: Good, good. I was speaking to them a little bit when I was over there. Just having a conversation about my future, about the possibility of me going over there. Nothing is certain at this point. I have some other options as well I'm looking at. I'm just biding my time and waiting for the opportunity to make my decision. HoopsHype

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

How long do you think is going to take to make that decision? Joel Freeland: I have no idea. I don't want to put a time limit, I don't want to rush my decision. HoopsHype

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

There was a report today in the Spanish media that you had a buyout and you had to pay for the buyout Tuesday at the latest in order to be able to go to the NBA. Is that accurate? Joel Freeland: I don't know the exact details, but there is a buyout that has to be paid. I don't know if there's a time limit. HoopsHype

Portland Trail Blazers, Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

How's Luol Deng doing? Joel Freeland: A player like him, he doesn't need to be at 100 percent to play great. He's a player that can bring different things to the court all the time. With his experience, he's always helping other people. He does all the things we need him to do. Even if he's not at 100 percent physically, it doesn't show. When he's playing you can't tell if he's not 100 percent. HoopsHype

Chicago Bulls, Luol Deng, Injuries, Great Britain, Joel Freeland 

If Blazers draftee Joel Freeland doesn't pay his €1.5 million ($1.84 million) buy-out clause before tomorrow, he will continue playing in Unicaja. Diario Sur

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland, Unicaja, Transactions 

Weekend visit in Houston with Joel Freeland. Neil Olshey: For me it was information gathering. We had a really nice time with Joel. We got to see a couple of practices. We had a nice dinner with him. He played against Lithuania, which was great, because they've got [Jonas] Valanciunas and Linas Kleiza and some former NBA guys. He had a good game, he played really well. He sounds interested in coming over and we're interested in having him. It's just a matter of making sure we can work it out where his role on the team and where he fits in roster composition wise, and where his salary slot fits in, works for both of us. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Joel Freeland, Transactions 

Is Joel Freeland NBA-ready? Neil Olshey: There's going to be a learning curve. There always is. He hasn't played in the NBA. It's no different than a rookie. Whether he was a four year guy at a high major or whether he's played four years at a high level for a Euroleague team, there's going to be a curve. How we use our bigs versus how he's used over there, defensive coverages, things like that, we're going to have to be patient and give him some time to learn. I think he'll acclimate pretty well. Physically he's an NBA player. He has good instincts. He's a worker. What I like about him, he's a big-time motor guy, he plays hard every possession, both ends of the court. Culturally he'd be great for us. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Joel Freeland, Transactions 

Scott Howard-Cooper: Lithuania 63, Britain 61 in Houston. Valanciunas 12 points, 8 rebs, 3 blocks, 17 minutes. Freeland 10 points, 3 rebs, 5 fouls, 20 mins. Twitter

Great Britain, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Joel Freeland 

Ian Whittell: Good news from Joel Freeland, he talks with Portland this w/end and Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland, Transactions 

Ian Whittell: ... could agree a deal with them be4 Olympics "I'm open to offers. my dream is to be in NBA & I think at 25 it's probably perfect age 2 go" Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Freeland, Transactions 

Ian Whittell: Trailblazers sending 4 execs, including GM, to meet with Joel in Houston & watch him play v Lithuania tomorrow Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Joel Freeland, Transactions 

Wendell Maxey: Joel Freeland won't make decision until after the olympics, but has been contacted by a number of teams around league about his nba future. Twitter

Spain, Joel Freeland, Unicaja 

Portland and Freeland’s camp have been in constant contact and talks throughout the season about making a move this sumer, and while there is mutual interest from both sides to make it happen there is still a lot up in the air. Bloguin

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Freeland