After bringing over a pair of international players, Joel Freeland and Victor Claver, last summer, the Trail Blazers aren't expected to do the same for Kostas Papanikolaou this offseason. George Sfairopoulos, the agent for Papanikolaou, tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com that he expects the Blazers to trade the rights to his client.
"As of now, we don't have any sign that leads us to believe that Kostas will go to Portland," Sfairopoulos said. "Therefore, we believe that he will not be in the plans of the organization next season and probably will be traded."
Papanikolaou, 22, was drafted 48th overall in 2012 by the Knicks, before being sent to the Blazers as part of the sign-and-trade deal that saw Raymond Felton head to New York. Earlier this month, EuroHoops.net reported that the young forward was receiving some interest from the Spurs, Mavericks, and Knicks, among other teams.
As I noted when rumors about Papanikolaou's trade candidacy first surfaced, the Blazers have four picks in this year's draft and should have a nice chunk of cap space available in July. So Papanikolaou's rights will be just one of many assets at Portland's disposal if the team elects to explore the trade market.