FanShot

Bucher: Blazers, Timberwolves Have Years Of Bad Blood

181
Ric Bucher of ESPN.com reports that there has been some bad blood between the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves prior to Minnesota's pursuit of Portland restricted free agent forward Nicolas Batum. ------------------------------ The Timberwolves, league sources say, are prepared to sign Batum to a four-year, $46.4 million offer sheet Sunday after repeatedly trying to trade for him. They have offered as many as three future first-round draft picks and even have dangled small forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft. The Blazers have resisted every overture even though multiple sources say Portland management believes $46.4 million is vastly more than Batum is worth. ... The Blazers traded swingman Martell Webster to the Timberwolves in a 2010 draft-night trade for Ryan Gomes and the rights to Minnesota's No. 16 pick, Luke Babbitt. The following fall, Webster had back surgery because of a bulging disk. The Blazers were aware of the injury but did not disclose it before the trade, a league source said. The two teams have since been quietly negotiating compensatory terms but have not been able to reach an agreement. ------------------------------ Bucher also reports that the Minnesota's anticipated signing of former Blazers guard Brandon Roy will be a costly move to Portland. Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com reports that as well. ------------------------------ When the Trail Blazers gave Roy his max deal, they were apparently able to insure only a fraction of it because of the condition of his knees. But, sources say, they were able to get a limited amount of permanent disability insurance on him that would cover $17 million of the amount owed the player. As long as he was "permanently" disabled. If and when Roy plays again, Portland apparently will not be able to collect that $17 million, none of which has been paid to date. ------------------------------ ed: text edited, bumped to front page