What’s left in the tank?
The apocalypse for Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Roy supporters will be happening in 2012: It appears that the most popular Trail Blazers since Clyde Drexler will be playing at the Rose Garden as a visitor next season.
Despite being waived by the franchise due to the medical conditions of his knees in December, Roy has decided to test his knees out one more time and resume his NBA career.
Due to Portland’s decision to waive Roy under the league’s amnesty clause, the guard cannot play for the Blazers until the 2014-15 season.
Portland Years
The sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Washington, Roy was acquired by the TrailBlazers in a draft-day trade. He was named the 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year and earned a birth to the All-Star team from 2008-2010.
The 27-year-old averaged 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 321 games with the only franchise that he has ever played for.
He announced his retirement from the Blazers due to chronic knee problems that kept him out of much of the 2010-11 season.
Brandon Roy, acquired because of a draft-day trade, proved to be one of the best Blazers in history.
Health Status
From all indications, Roy’s knees are no worse than they were before he retired as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers before the start of last season.
It has been rumored that Roy has been undergoing the platelet-rich plasma therapy procedure that has gained traction among NBA players due to the success that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has found with its use.
The procedure, which uses the method of blood spinning, has helped provide relief to athletes in other sports, including the New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez.
There are a number of teams in the running for Roy’s services are led by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who appear to be transforming into Rip City Midwest.
Sources out of Minneapolis say that the team is prepared to offer Roy a two-year contract, six years after the team drafted him before trading him for Randy Foye. Currently, former Trail Blazers head coach Rick Adelman serves in the same capacity with the team.
Offer Sheet
Minnesota has also extended a four-year $50 million qualifying offer to Portland restricted free-agent forward Nicolas Batum.
Outside of the Northwest Division, Roy met with Golden State Warriors officials this week to discuss a comeback by the bay. With the mid-season trade of shooting guard Monta Ellis for Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut, the team is looking for ways to replace some of Ellis’ firepower on the perimeter.
Current Golden State general manager Bob Myers was Roy’s agent before taking the position in Oakland this year.
The team has been intrigued by reports of Roy’s improving health, but they are not the only team with former ties to the player that have expressed interest.
Indiana Situation
Perhaps the dark horse team looking to sign Roy is the Indiana Pacers. The franchise’s new general manger Kevin Pritchard was Portland’s general manager and the man that acquired him from Minnesota in 2006.
The Pacers sorely lacked a guard that could create a quality shot for himself in the playoffs and Roy would fulfill that need off the bench.
Interestingly enough, these developments are occurring simultaneously as Portland is chasing Indiana center Roy Hibbert.
Other teams that have expressed in Roy include the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks.
There is no timetable set for Roy’s decision.
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