T- T- T- Travis & The Jets

Jason Quick said yesterday that he spoke to Travis Outlaw, and he thinks he'll have a deal inked with Portland soon.  I'm hearing 3 years, $15 million, team option for fourth year at $6 million, but we’ll see what happens.  Regardless, it sounds like Outlaw will be back, which I can’t decide is a good or a bad thing.  More on that later.

I'm still curious to see what the team does with their glut of PG's and young PF's.

PG: Jack, Blake, Rodriguez, Green

PF: Aldridge, Frye, McRoberts, Freeland

Clearly Aldridge and Blake aren't going anywhere, but those are about the only guarantees.  There isn't room for all of those guys.  You'd think Freeland will go back to Europe, but that’s not set in stone.  He'll just ride pine over there anyway because his coaches won't play him.  He’s the best big man on the team, but they don't want to invest anything in him when they know they'll lose him next year.  Since McRoberts and Green already signed guaranteed contracts, they’ll be making the 15-man at the very least.

Also, don't count out Roy playing a pseudo-3 position.  Not because he will play SF, but because Nate’s talking about going with a faster three-guard lineup next year.  Blake, Jack, Roy, Aldridge, Oden.   That's interesting to think about.  Or how about this, Sergio, Blake, Roy, Aldridge, Oden.  Wow.  It may not be the greatest defensive team in the world, but those guys would streak past everyone not named "The Phoenix Suns".  I’d love to see that lineup in short bursts.

Here is Portland’s full, updated depth chart with the Blake signing, and assuming Outlaw is back:

PG: Blake, Jack, Rodriguez, Green, Kopenen
SG: Roy, Webster, Fernandez
SF: Jones, Outlaw, (Miles)
PF: Aldridge, Frye, McRoberts, Freeland
C: Oden, Pryzbilla, LaFrentz

* =  likely heading back to Europe

I still think there will be another roster change, but I don't see where Portland has room for any of Koponen, Freeland, or Fernandez right now on their roster.  They all have to go back to Europe this year (we already know Fernandez is).  And I don't see where they have room for Ime unless they trade 2-for-1, or 3-for-2.

Portland gets 15 spots; 12 active and 3 inactive or NBDL.  Guys in Europe don’t count towards that.

1. Blake
2. Jack
3. Sergio
4. Roy
5. Webster
6. Jones
7. Outlaw
8. Aldridge
9. Frye
10. McRoberts*
11. Oden
12. Pryzbilla
13. LaFrentz
14. Miles*
15. T. Green*

* = likely inactive or NBDL under this scenario

Unfortunately, Miles has to be counted as one of the 15 unless he signs the medical retirement buyout papers in August — which I’m hearing he may not do, as there’s a chance he could be back playing basketball by December.  Feel free to roll your eyes at that one.  And because Portland signed McRoberts and Green to guaranteed one-year deals, they’re guaranteed roster spots.  So there’s no room for Ime or Freeland unless Portland makes another spot-opening move.