Jayne: Blazers "Will Never, Ever, Ever Be Able To Sign A Marquee Free Agent"

Greg Jayne of The Columbian, who is leaving the sports desk to become the paper's editorial editor, writes that 2013 is just another example of the Portland Trail Blazers' inability to compete for free agents.

As I prepare to take my talents to The Columbian's Editorial department in a couple weeks, I am struck by a surprising reality of my 13 years as this paper's Sports editor. Throughout that time, the Portland Trail Blazers have never won a playoff series. Not a single one.

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Portland had planned on having almost $12 million available for free agents, but most of that now has gone to players who were available because their previous teams were looking to dump salary.

It's like picking up a couch that somebody leaves on the curb. The price might be great, but there's a reason it is being left on the side of the road.

Which brings us to the ugly truth about the Blazers - Portland will never, ever, ever be able to sign a marquee free agent. The city isn't big enough and the franchise history isn't rich enough to land a big-name free agent.

Dave gets a shout-out in this piece as well.

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