Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard said Friday that negotiations continue on a contract extension for Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
"We have been working on it,"
Pritchard said. "We're hopeful it gets done. Our intent is to have LaMarcus under a long-term contract very soon."
Guard Brandon Roy, who has a new five-year deal, said locking up Aldridge "is extremely important. We have built a relationship on and off the court that has been important to our early success. Now it's time to get LaMarcus signed. He is a huge part of what we're trying to do. He is a future All-Star for years to come."
• Roy said he liked Portland's signing of free-agent point guard Andre Miller.
"Andre was a great pickup,"
Roy said. "I love his leadership capabilities. When you add a guy with his number of years in the league, that's what we were missing. I've had conversations with coach Nate (McMillan), telling him I wish we had an older veteran who could help me out. That was answered. (Miller) is going to get me and LaMarcus more easy shots, and he'll help Steve Blake. They'll push each other every day in practice. It's going to make us a much better team."
• Why did Roy decline the invitation to work out with the U.S. national team during a mini-camp in Las Vegas last month?
"I wanted to rest my body for Portland (and the upcoming NBA season)," Roy explained. "I went straight into last year's training camp coming off of meniscus (knee) surgery, and I didn't want to risk anything coming into this year. We talked to USA Basketball, and they completely understood. There will be an opportunity for me to play in the future, but this summer, my body needed it. I wanted to get as close to 100 percent as possible. I look forward to relooking at that next summer."
• Roy said he weighs "under 210 pounds"
right now. A year ago at this time, he said, he was at 217. "I felt I was a little heavy when I started playing last summer,"
he said. "This summer, I've done a lot of biking and swimming. I feel good. I feel light. I told Nate I'd try to get into camp between 205 and 210. I think lighter is better for me."
• Blazer forward Nicolas Batum has been a star on a French national team preparing for the European Championships.
