Sam Amick of SI.com reports that the Portland Trail Blazers have "expressed very real interest" in unrestricted free agent forward Carl Landry in the first day that teams have been officially make contact with agents. The New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics have all reportedly done the same.
Landry is among a group of free agent big men who might be available for a Mid-Level Exception.
Landry-to-Portland talk began all the way back in August, when Chris Haynes of SlamOnline.com posted this report.
"I think I can fit in with Portland, "Landry told SLAMonline. "They're in need of a big post presence down low. I'm not taking anything away from (Greg) Oden and (Marcus) Camby. I just know what I can provide. The Blazers are a good team and I know I can help."
"I really like Portland," said Landry." I'm good friends with Greg Oden, and Wes Matthews is from Wisconsin like me. There are a lot of ties there and I have no doubt that I would blend in fine."
Landry, 28, was traded by the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Hornets back in February and filled in for starting forward David West when he went down with a knee injury. He had a solid first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, posting 15.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Landry, listed at 6-foot-9 and 248 pounds, averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds for the 2010-2011 regular season.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter