Portland Trail Blazers Are Set Up for Major Success in the 2009 Offseason

When Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen told his general manager Kevin Pritchard to make the necessary moves to improve the team, I am convinced he did not mean to make minor adjustments. As soon as the clock hit 12:00 a.m. eastern standard time on July 1, 2009, Kevin Pritchard made a call to Hedo Turkoglu's agent, Lon Babby. That call was the first one Babby received about his client. Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan flew to Orlando last night to have dinner with Turkoglu. To return the favor, Turkoglu and Babby will fly to Portland today to tour the Rose Garden, the team's practice facilities, and to take a tour of the city Turkoglu likely could be playing in next season. But will Pritchard stop if Turkoglu decides to play in Portland next season? Before the NBA draft in late June, Pritchard outlined the Blazers' needs. They included a starting point guard, starting small forward, and a backup power forward. By acquiring second-round draft pick Jeff Pendergraph of ... (link)