HoopsHype.com Rumors

The big news, though, will come Wednesday — even if few involved could say they had a clue what the day holds. "There's so many different scenarios," said Seahawks president Peter McLoughlin as he checked in, representing Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen. "We'll see what happens (Wednesday)." Seattle Times

Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Paul Allen, Owners, Peter McLoughlin 

Ken Berger: The Trail Blazers have hired Nate Tibbets as an assistant coach. The former Cleveland assistant had been in running for head coaching jobs. Twitter @KBergCBS

Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Nate Tibbetts 

Kostas Papanikolaou of Olympiacos, winner this year “rising star award” as he team defended its title in London, has already proved that he is one of the best European players and this why many NBA teams are thinking of approaching Portland to acquire his rights. Blazers followed him closely throughout the season, but at this point it seems that “Pap” in not on the immediate plans of Neil Olshey. Portland (besides starter Nicolas Batum) also has another talented European forward with Spaniard Victor Claver and is no need to “overload” the small forward position. EuroHoops.net

Portland Trail Blazers, Greece, Olympiacos, Kostas Papanikolaou 

So there is a strong chance that the Blazers will trade his rights and many teams has shown interest. Spurs and Mavericks are among them, as well as the Knicks who drafted Papanikolaou on No48 of last year’s draft. Knicks GM Glen Grunwald visited London for a day, just to watch him on the semifinal against CSKA! EuroHoops.net

Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Greece, Olympiacos, Kostas Papanikolaou 

Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts has begun the process of interviewing various candidates for their assistant coach opening vacated by Kaleb Canales, who took the same position with Dallas, CSNNW.com has learned. CSNNW.com

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Terry Stotts 

Detroit assistant/big-man specialist Roy Rogers was inquired about by the Trail Blazers recently, according to a league source. But both sides agreed it wasn't the right fit. Stotts pursued Rogers last offseason, as well. CSNNW.com

Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Roy Rogers 

The dark horse is Brandon Roy: The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year told CSNNW.com back in January that he would love to get into the coaching profession immediately if his knees were unable to hold up, ending his playing career. Unlike most All-Stars who have dominated this league using their athleticism, Roy did it mostly with his smarts and knowing how to play angles on both sides of the ball. Players that played the game from the neck up, tend to be better coaches. Plus, it would be a great story in Portland. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Brandon Roy 

In the five seasons since, David Fizdale, 38, has solidified his status as an integral member of the Heat staff, one equally valued by the head coach who calls him a close friend and the Heat stars who call upon him for suggestions and representation. As such, his value is spiking around the NBA, with the Portland Trail Blazers seeking an interview for their head coaching vacancy last summer — an opportunity he declined. As the Heat play in the second round against the Chicago Bulls, he continues to be mentioned as a possible candidate for current and potential openings, such as the one in Atlanta. The Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, David Fizdale 

Portland Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey and president Chris McGowan welcomed the Dalai Lama to Portland by presenting him with a personalized jersey and team hat during a talk at the Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, hence the jersey No. 14. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Neil Olshey, Chris McGowan 

Jason Quick: The Trail Blazers and athletic trainer Jay Jensen have parted ways, The Oregonian has learned Twitter @jwquick

Portland Trail Blazers, Jay Jensen 

Jason Quick: Blazers GM Neil Olshey: "We thank Jay (Jensen) for his 19 years of service with the team and wish him well in his future endeavors.'' Twitter @jwquick

Portland Trail Blazers, Jay Jensen 

Microsoft founder and American billionaire Paul Allen will appear in a Botswana court in October for allegedly attempting to smuggle giraffe bones to the US. According to the King County Superior Court, a safari guide was arrested and detained in Maun, Botswanaﾒs tourism capital, by customs officials after the Microsoft co-founder and current Seahawks owner (Allen) and his sister Jody, tried to sneak home the bones while on safari in Botswana. Court papers charge that a review of the trip to Botswana by the Allens had revealed a pattern of illegality. ﾓThe acts I have witnessed and had to engage in to perform my job to the expectations of my principals leave me with no choice other than to constructively terminate my employment,ﾔ reads a statement by one of Allenﾒs bodyguards. Africa Review

Portland Trail Blazers, Law, Paul Allen, Africa, Botswana 

Update: A spokesperson for Vulcan has denied an Africa Review report that Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen is headed to court in Botswana after he and his sister allegedly tried to smuggle giraffe bones out of the African nation. Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Law, Paul Allen, Africa, Botswana 

Jason Quick: Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard and GM Neil Olshey will represent the Blazers at the Draft Lottery on May 21. Lillard will be on stage. Twitter @jwquick

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Neil Olshey, Damian Lillard 

Damian Lillard - Chip on shoulder: "I came into the Draft process with a huge chip on my shoulder just because of the situation I come from. I'm from Oakland, I didn't get recruited heavily out of high school, I went to a mid-major at Weber State, I didn't get a lot of attention until my last year in school. I felt like I had a lot to prove. Once I did that, I started to get some respect. I got drafted sixth overall, and I knew it was up to me to make something of it. I had a huge chip because of the situation I came from." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Draft, Damian Lillard 

LaMarcus Aldridge: Happy for coach Kaleb Canales! Great things happen to great people. Twitter @aldridge_12

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kaleb Canales 

Meyers Leonard: Tough to hear that Coach Kaleb is heading to Dallas next year. He was a great coach and a hard worker. Wish him nothing but the best. Twitter @MeyersLeonard11

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Meyers Leonard 

In 2010 Kahn said he wanted compensation from the Trail Blazers because they traded him Martell Webster with, he said, an improperly disclosed back injury. (Webster has since moved on to play for the Wizards.) ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Martell Webster, David Kahn 

Today, two sources directly involved in the talks tell me that in fact the dispute led to depositions in preparation for a hearing, and those depositions did not go well for the Blazers. As a result, Portland agreed to pay Minnesota $1.5 million -- said to be one of the largest such agreements in league history -- to settle the matter before it reached the hearing stage. The Trail Blazers declined to comment. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Martell Webster, David Kahn 

Statement from Rick Carlisle: "On April 16th Jim O'Brien informed me that he would be retiring from coaching when our season was over. Jim said he loved working in the Mavs organization, but being away from family made his decision easy. I consider Jim O'Brien a great basketball man of high integrity and thank him for everything he taught me, my staff and our players this past season. We are fortunate that Kaleb Canales became available and had interest in joining the Mavs organization. Kaleb has worked for the Portland Trailblazers organization in multiple capacities for the last 9 years, and brings great knowledge, enthusiasm and work ethic to the Mavs. He will join Monte Mathis and Tony Brown on the bench and take over in Coach O'Brien's capacity of coordinating our offense." Facebook.com

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Coaching, Kaleb Canales, Jim O'Brien