Freeman: Blazers Expected To Release G Terrel Harris Prior To Training Camp

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports that the Portland Trail Blazers are expected to release guard Terrel Harris prior to training camp.

But a team source said Harris, who was acquired as part of the three-team trade that landed center Robin Lopez, is expected to be waived before camp opens.

Earlier this month, Harris was suspended for five games for violating the NBA's Anti-Drug Policy. The Blazers declined comment at the time of the suspension.

Harris, 25, was acquired by the Blazers from the New Orleans Pelicans in a three-team sign-and-trade deal that also landed center Robin Lopez in Portland. He holds career averages of 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in two seasons with the Miami Heat and New Orleans Hornets.

Harris is currently Portland's 16th player and his contract for the 2013-14 season is non-guaranteed as long as he is released by Oct. 31. The NBA's roster limit is 15.

Harris played for the Blazers in the 2013 Las Vegas Summer League. He said he wasn't sure what his future looked like with the Blazers following the Summer League finale.

"Whatever happens, happens, as far as training camp and filling that last spot. I hope [to be in Portland for camp]. No indication [if I will be invited]."

Blazers GM Neil Olshey offered these thoughts on the 15th roster spot from Las Vegas.

I don't know. We're really comfortable with where the roster is. Unlike last year, the 14th guy on our roster is capable of playing in an NBA game. What we don't want to do is grab a guy, create another redundancy and have two guys on the inactive list. I like the the ability to do uneven deals. Having that roster spot, and the flexibility, we've got some tradeable contracts. We've done a really good job of not having to go out too far into the future. We've got a lot of young talent.

If the opportunity comes up once again to accelerate this and get another established veteran in, you don't want a deal to fall apart because you have to send something back rather than having an open roster spot to absorb a player.

Since Olshey made those comments, the Blazers signed Mo Williams to a two-year deal.

Candace Buckner of The Columbian profiled Harris recently.

When Harris was just a skinny kid who hadn't yet grown into his ears, he liked spaghetti and wanted his friends to call him 'Teco.' He attended church with his mother and served as a youth usher and an acolyte, lighting the candles prior to worship at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church. On the court, he lit up his rivals as the best basketball player in the neighborhood. So, typically, Harris wrote in a junior high publication that his future profession would be a "Pro Basketball Player."

His mom still keeps that clipping under plastic in her North Dallas home - along with her very own diamond-encrusted replica of the Miami Heat 2012 championship ring.

"It was just a blessing," Harris said. "A lot of people say, 'Man, you're so lucky.' I would correct them. I say that I'm blessed. I had faith. A lot of people don't understand that word 'faith.' "

The Blazers have also signed Dee Bost (here) and E.J. Singler (here) to training camp deals.

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