Chad FordofESPN.comlooks atsome of the remaining available free agents并讨论了几个中心局域网的可能性ding with the Portland Trail Blazers, who missed out on restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert after the Indiana Pacers decided to retain him. --------------------------------- JaVale McGee, C, Nuggets (R): The Nuggets were in a great bargaining situation with McGee until Monday. Before then, they were the only team with cap space making a serious run at him. However, now that word has leaked that the Pacers will match Portland's offer to Roy Hibbert, the competition may stiffen. The Blazers could make a run at McGee (though the early signals are they won't). Robin Lopez, C, Suns (R): Lopez doesn't have nearly the same reputation as his brother Brook, but he can be a force defensively and had a very solid 15.25 PER last season. For all the teams that missed out on the big fish in free agency, he might be a nice consolation prize. With the right offer, the tight-fisted Suns might not match. The Blazers could be a real option here. Chris Kaman, C, Hornets: Kaman had his fingers crossed that the Pacers weren't going to match the Blazers' offer to Roy Hibbert. He would've surely gotten a big multiyear offer from Indiana had they decided to pass. Now that Hibbert appears to be headed back to Indy, things will get tougher for Kaman. He could be forced to take a one-year deal like Humphries and Landry. --------------------------------- Blazers GM Neil Olsheytold reporters on Mondaythat the team's next moves would likely come through trade rather than another free agency pursuit. The Blazers havecontacted Lopez, according toChris HaynesofCSNNW.com.ed: text edited, bumped to front page

Jorge SierraofHoopsHype.com has an interviewwith Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent forward Nicolas Batum from French National team training camp. ------------------------------------------Is it a stressful situation for you to go through camp with France while you are still a free agent?NB: That's not easy, thinking about both things... I think my contract will be done in a couple of days and then I can really focus on the National Team.There was a report that you have receivednasty, even racist messages via Twitter.NB: That's part of being a pro athlete. During the season it's the same. When you play good, you are the best person in the world and when you play bad you are the worst person in the world.Are you going to be upset if you have to go back to Portland?NB: No. ------------------------------------------ Batum hasreportedly agreedto a 4-year, $45 million offer sheet with the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 9 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday night, the NBA's free agency moratorium will be lifted and Batum will be free to sign the offer sheet. If and when that happens, Portland has three days to decide whether or not to match the offer sheet and retain him.Last week, Blazers GM Neil Olshey told Batum and Ndiaye that the team would match any offers and would not agree to a sign-and-trade. On Monday, Olsheyhedgedon that, refusing to repeat that declaration to a group of reporters and instead saying he would do what's in the best interests of the Blazers in the short-term and long-term.At least one writerbelieves Olshey could be interested in pursuing a sign-and-trade now that the Blazers were unable to acquire Indiana Pacers restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert. Batum's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, has madenumerous commentsindicating that his client would prefer to play for the Timberwolves rather than the Blazers next season. Heeven saidthat it Batum's "dream" to play in Minnesota. Prior to this interview, Batum had declined comment on his situation.Also on Thursday, a report indicated that the Blazers told Batum and his agent that they would match any offer sheet and would not participate in any sign-and-trades. Batumdenied a reportearlier this week that he was so unhappy with the Blazers that he wanted "no part" of returning. Batum's other suitors were said to include the New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers. They can offer Batum a 4-year contract while Portland can add a fifth year. Batum said back in April that he was"99 percent" surethat the Blazers would match any offer made to him and the team's ownership and management has consistently referred to him as one of the roster's core pieces. The Blazersextended a qualifying offerto Batum back in June. Batum, 23, averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals in 30.4 minutes for the Blazers last season.ed: text edited, bumped to front page

An insider's view on pro sports by SB Nation contributor Dan Grunfeld, who's a professional basketball player overseas and son of Washington Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld.

Will BartonI like this guy already just from this one interview. And I keep hearing about how much of a steal he was at #40. Can't wait to see what he can do!

Reporter: I heard you were going to match any offer he [Batum] got, is that accurate? Olshey: Look we've all heard things. ]shrug] I had a conversation with his agent. I had a conversation with David Kahn from the Minnesota Timberwolves, that will remain private. .... What you will see at the end of the this - is that I believe what we did was in the best interest of the organization, today and in the future." Gone is the "We will match any offer" rhetoric. But who can read between these lines?

#Blazers‬ GM Olshey on Barton: "I still have no idea how Will got to 40. Paul Allen started asking us to trade up at around 22 to get him." The ‪#Blazers‬ will sign 2nd-round pick Will Barton to a guaranteed contract ... 2nd-rounders do not typically receive guarantees https://twitter.com/BlazerFreeman/status/222451433553936385

David Aldridge reports on NBA.com that Marcus Camby is re-joining the Knicks to (likely) finish his career, signing for 3 years, $13 million total. It will be a sign and trade with Houston. The Rockets will receive Toney Douglas, Josh Harrelson, Jerome Jordan and a couple second-round picks.