Here's your rundown on the Trail Blazers and free agency

Pritchard, 76ers pooh-pooh an Andre Miller deal

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Jun 30, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

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Kidd, 36, was to be in New York on Wednesday to meet with Knicks President Donnie Walsh about a potential contract. Also in New York was Dallas owner Mark Cuban, trying to work a deal to retain him. The Mavericks would like to re-sign Kidd at one year and $12 million – more than he can get from another team on the short term.

Bibby, 31, probably won't return to Atlanta, where free agent Jamaal Crawford is likely to land. Bibby, who will probably command $6 million to $7 million annually and wants four years, has received interest from several teams, including Portland and Golden State.

The Blazers could go the trade route to pursue Steve Nash, due to make $13.125 million next season in his final year under contract with Phoenix. The Suns have said a priority is to extend the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 35, this summer. Nash has said he wants to see what happens with the roster in the offseason before committing to the future.

If Portland were to agree to extend Nash for three years in the $8 million to $10 million range annually, he might be willing to accept a deal to a potential championship contender.

Another point guard the Blazers have shown interest in is Kirk Hinrich, 28, who came off the bench for Chicago last season. Hinrich has three years remaining at $26.5 million.

A source close to the Bulls, though, says they are trying to re-sign free agent Ben Gordon. If Gordon goes elsewhere – Detroit is expected to make a big push – the Bulls would be reluctant to give up Hinrich, who can play with Derrick Rose in the Chicago backcourt.

After renouncing restricted free agent Channing Frye, the Blazers seem likely to seek veteran help at the power forward spot.

Among the likely free-agent candidates: Brandon Bass, Paul Millsap, Charlie Villanueva, Antonio McDyess, Anderson Varajeo and perhaps Glen Davis.

Dallas can re-sign the 6-8, 240-pound Bass, 25, for anything up to the midlevel exception. That’s what Bass wants in order to return to the Mavericks. They’re thinking more along the lines of three years, $10.5 million. Orlando and San Antonio are expected to be suitors; it won’t be surprising if they are joined by Portland.

The 6-8, 245-pound Millsap, 24, is a restricted free agent after Utah made a qualifying offer of just over $1 million. The Jazz say they will match any contract offer, but they are well over the luxury-tax threshold, with Carlos Boozer’s decision to not opt out of his deal.

A large offer – Oklahoma City is said to be a suitor – could mean the Jazz will let Millsap go.

Cash-strapped Milwaukee did not make a qualifying offer for the 6-11, 240-pound Villanueva, who turns 25 in August. Cleveland is reported to be interested, and Villanueva – who averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27 minutes for the Bucks last season – has a personal relationship with both LeBron James and Mo Williams.

The Cavs are said to also be interested in McDyess and Rasheed Wallace, also a free agent.

The chances of McDyess, 35 in September, returning to Detroit increased with Tuesday’s firing of coach Michael Curry. McDyess’ relationship with Curry wasn’t good, and the Pistons can offer the veteran forward more money than other teams.

Varajeo, 26, opted out of his $6.2 million final-year deal with Cleveland on Tuesday. He averaged 8.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 28.5 minutes with the Cavs last season and, at 6-10 and 230, is a solid performer at both ends of the court.

Two sources say they don’t expect small forward Hedo Turkoglu to land in Portland. The 6-10, 220-pound Turkoglu, 30, opted out of a contract with Orlando that would have reaped $7.3 million next season, and he rejected a four year, $35-million extension offer by the Magic shortly after the NBA finals.

“Anybody who’s a decent player, Portland might make a run at him,” one of the sources says. “I think it’s more likely (Turkoglu) winds up with Toronto, but you never know.”

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