Brandon Roy and Nicolas Batum spent three years together on the Trail Blazers. Might they be teammates again … with the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Multiple outlets Thursday indicated that it is a real possibility.
As first reported by the Oregonian, Roy will sign a two-year, $10.4 million deal with Minnesota, a figure confirmed by other news outlets.
The former Blazer announced his retirement from basketball on the first day of training camp this past season due to chronic knee problems.
However, Portland used the amnesty clause on him, which got Roy’s contract off the books, but allowed him to sign with any other team besides the Blazers.
The 27-year-old has hinted at a possible comeback since his retirement, and peers who have seen him play pick-up basketball have lauded his ability and asserted that signs of his injury are not apparent.
Roy was the 2006-2007 NBA Rookie of the year and made the All-Star team in each of the next three seasons.
In the 2010-2011 season, however, he missed 33 games due to injury and went three games without recording a field goal.
According to the Associated Press, the Timberwolves and Batum came to terms on a 4-year, $45 million deal that can reach up to $50 million with bonuses and incentives.
The report adds that Batum’s agent Bouna Ndiaye said that Batum would rather play in Minnesota than Portland.
That, however, is not up to the Frenchman.
Since Batum is a restricted free agent, the Blazers have the right to match any other team’s offer.
Portland general manager Neil Olshey reportedly told Batum that the team intends to do just that after meeting with him in Portland on Thursday.
Batum, 23, averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Blazers last year.
