The Portland Trail Blazers acquired four players in exchange for two players at Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline, sending out forward Gerald Wallace and center Marcus Camby in exchange for New Jersey Nets center Mehmet Okur, Nets forward Shawne Williams, Houston Rockets center Hasheem Thabeet and Rockets guard Jonny Flynn.
That puts Portland's roster at 17 players, with two players needing to be released so that Portland is at the maximum of 15 players.
Multiple reports indicate that No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden will be one of the players waived.
Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports...
A league source tells me the Blazers intend on waiving center Greg Oden.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports...
Source w/ knowledge of Blazers' thinking says team has informed Greg Oden's camp that Oden is being waived for needed roster room after deals
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports...
The Blazers will waive 2007 No. 1 pick Greg Oden to make room for trade acquisitions, sources say, confirming reports.
Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in February. At the time, Blazers Acting GM Chad Buchanan said releasing Oden for a roster space was a possibility.
Tammy Johnson, wife of Chris Johnson, writes on Twitter that Johnson has been released. She also provides this statement from Johnson...
"I feel so blessed and grateful for everything that has happened in the past year. Im forever thankful to Portland Trailblazers organization for giving me the opportunity to achieve a dream Ive had since I was a child. Obviously I'm very sad to be leaving Portland, my teammates & the coaching staff; I understand it's a tough decision that had to be made. But I can't say how much I have appreciated the love and support I've got from all you Rip City fans. You guys are amazing! . I wish the Blazers the best of luck. Thank you all. CJ
Freeman additionally reports...
A league source also tells me the Blazers are working on a buyout with newly acquired forward Shawne Williams. That leads me to believe the Blazers could add one more player. Pure speculation here, but ... what about Patty Mills?
The Blazers still hold Mills' rights as a restricted free agent after issuing him a qualifying offer last summer. Mills played in China during the lockout.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter