Lopez: Blazers F Victor Claver Says He's Not Thinking About Return To Europe

César Nanclares of Spanish website TuBasket.com reports that Portland Trail Blazers forward Victor Claver is uncomfortable with his current situation, citing unnamed sources. Here's a translation via HoopsHype.com.

Blazers forward Victor Claver is seriously thinking about returning to Europe as soon as possible, TuBasket.com has learned. He's not comfortable with his situation and thinks Portland doesn't believe in him.

The report notes that it would be difficult for Claver to get out of his current contract during the season but wonders what might happen next summer.

Update (Sunday): Luis Fernando Lopez of ElMundo.ES interviewed Claver about the substance of the report. Here's a partial translation via HoopsHype.com.

"Portland is where I want to be, but it's true that I want to play and here I'm not having the chance to do it. The season is very long, let's see if the situation changes later on.

"I don't know if there's the chance of a trade. If it happened, I hope it is for the better. Returning to Europe? I'm not thinking about it right now."

Update (Monday): George Roche of NBAManiacs.com notes that Claver told TWC Deportes that he's "very happy" and wasn't sure where the "return to Europe" talk came from.

Claver also said in the interview that he doesn't necessarily expect his opportunity to increase this season because things are going so well with the current rotation.

Claver, 25, has played just four total minutes over three games so far this season after enjoying a large role on the Spanish National Team during EuroBasket. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds during his rookie season with the Blazers in 2012-13 but has spent much of the 2013-14 season on the inactive list.

Claver is in the second year of a three-year, $4 million contract. He's on the books for $1.3 million this season and $1.4 million next season. A 2009 first-round pick, Claver played professionally in Spain from 2006 until his NBA arrival in 2012.

In an interview with Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Claver repeats a "I just want to play" mantra that he's stuck to since he arrived in Portland but also suggests that a change of scenery could be coming down the line.

"If I'm still not playing [couple years from now], I will have to think of other options because I'm not going to be on the bench. I'm not a coach. I want to play. That's what everybody wants to do."

...

"Maybe it looks easy to be here but if you go to Spain and see how many came here to play, it's only 12. It's hard to make that step over here. That's why I want to enjoy this. I don't know how long I'm going to be here. I don't know how long I'm going to play. I know that I'm here and want to enjoy this."

Thanks to acereraser in the FanShots for getting there first.

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