Blazers F/C J.J. Hickson Talks Upcoming Trade Deadline

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center J.J. Hickson told Blazersedge Tuesday that he's not nervous for Thursday's trade deadline.

"Nah," he said. "It's funny because teams talk throughout the whole season, it's just the media makes it more visible to the public when the trade deadline is coming up. But teams talk throughout the whole season. It's nothing to be nervous about."

Oh, so you've had your name in trade talks for months?

"You tell me?", he laughed. "Y'all the ones writing it up and reporting it. Teams talk all the time. Right now, it's no different, it's a matter of you guys blowing it up and making it visible to the public."

Hickson, 24, is in the midst of a career year, averaging 12.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds, both-team highs, in a Tuesday night loss to the Phoenix Suns at the Rose Garden.

"I'm a Blazer until those kinds of things come up," he said. "I know it's part of the business side of the game. I'll deal with it."

Hickson said that he wanted to remain in Portland -- "of course" -- and that he hadn't had any discussions in recent days with GM Neil Olshey, despite reports that Hickson continues to be shopped.

"I haven't had any contact with management," Hickson said. "I'm just here controlling what I can control, playing the game of basketball. Off the court, things will take care of themselves like they always have in the past."

While Hickson said that he was "committed" to the Blazers, he would not say that he "expected" to remain with the team through Thursday's deadline.

"It's not a matter of whether I expect to be here," he said. "I'm controlling what I can control. I'll let the front office and my agent do their job. Let the cookies crumble where they may."

Hickson has a no-trade clause and must approve any trade in which he is involved.

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