Haynes: Agent For Blazers International F Kostas Papanikolaou Expects Trade

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports that George Sfairopoulos, agent for Portland Trail Blazers international forward Kostas Papanikolaou, doesn't believe his client is in the organization's plans for the 2013-14 season.

"As of now, we don't have any sign that leads us to believe that Kostas will go to Portland," Sfairopoulos told CSNNW.com. "Therefore, we believe that he will not be in the plans of the organization next season and probably will be traded."

Earlier this month, Rigas Dardalis of EuroHoops.net offered this report.

Blazers followed him closely throughout the season, but at this point it seems that "Pap" in not on the immediate plans of Neil Olshey. Portland (besides starter Nicolas Batum) also has another talented European forward with Spaniard Victor Claver and is no need to "overload" the small forward position.

In fact Olshey didn't travel in London, where only Blazers' scout Jason Filipi was present. So there is a strong chance that the Blazers will trade his rights and many teams has shown interest. Spurs and Mavericks are among them, as well as the Knicks who drafted Papanikolaou on No 48 of last year's draft.

The Blazers acquired Papanikolaou's rights from the New York Knicks in a July 2012 sign-and-trade involving Raymond Felton. Papanikolaou said in a March interview that he dreams of playing in the NBA and there was some chatter last fall that he might be brought over for the 2013-14 season. I noted back on May 1 that that talk had subsided.

Thanks to tyeforshee in the FanShots.

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