Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports teams are contacting the agent for Portland Trail Blazers forward/center J.J. Hickson to express interest in trading for his client. Hickson has a no-trade clause in his contract and can therefore veto any deal.

JJ Hickson has been receiving exploratory interest from a handful of teams looking to potentially swap for his services before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, a source close to the situation told CSNNW.com.

However, these teams have not made contact with Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey, just yet. The inquiring phone calls are going to Hickson's agent Andy Miller, first, the source said.

...

"I'm blessed to be in this the position and to know that I'm kind of a hot commodity right now," Hickson said. "But all I can do is control what I can control on the basketball court and keep getting better."

The Blazers are reportedly "open" to trades. Hickson has been named as a possible Most Improved Player candidate this week and also a few weeks ago. He was dubbed one of the "most overrated" rebounders here. A recent discussion of his trade value was raised here.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter