Blazers owner Paul Allen was among the team executives in attendance for the second of two pre-draft workout sessions today, and got a chance to see Perry Jones III, John Henson and Jared Sullinger, among others, according to tweets from Joe Freeman of The Oregonian and Chris B. Haynes of CSNNW.com. Allen shot down rumors that he's looking to sell the team, as Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge writes, and CSNNW.com has more of the owner's comments to the media in two videos. Blazers beat writers have delivered plenty of news in the last hour, as we round up here. …
- The team hasn't contacted the Warriors about permission to interview assistant coach Michael Malone or the Pacers about assistant Brian Shaw, leading Haynes to surmise that interim coach Kaleb Canales is the frontrunner to take over the job on a permanent basis.
- In the same piece, Haynes also cites an earlier report from fellow CSNNW.com writer Dwight Jaynes that the team hasn't spoken to Jerry Sloan about an interview, either.
- Haynes relays general manager Neil Olshey's comments on the slow search. "Free agent wise, Yeah, I think it affects it a little bit. But, like I said, we're going to have a process here," he said. "We're going to build this thing the right way … We'll find the right coach to coach the roster."
Earlier updates:
- General manager Neil Olshey spoke about the team's interest in signing Joel Freeland and Victor Claver, two international players whose NBA rights belong to the Blazers, and Freeman rounds up his comments in a full story. According to Freeman on Twitter, Olshey was noncommittal about Freeland, the 6'10" British player whom the Blazers drafted 30th overall in 2006. Olshey said he'll know more after a meeting with Freeland, which is to take place next week in Houston, Haynes tweets.
- Olshey seems to have a stronger interest in Claver. “Lot of interest in Victor,” the GM said to Freeman. “I think he’s a good fit. I think the roster is in position now where he would be a good addition. We can’t start negotiating with his agent until after July 1st. Clearly if there was a ever a time when there was enough opening for him to come in an make the team, with a lot of other young players he can grow with, this is probably the time.”
- Most teams are "digging in" this week, but Olshey expects trade talk to heat up next week, The Oregonian's Jason Quick reports. Olshey says other clubs are still trying to get a feel for which prospects they like before putting veterans into trade discussions, as Quick also notes (All Twitter links).
- Interim coach Kaleb Canales was in attendance at the workouts, but none of his staff was, as Freeman tweets.
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