Sunday, April 18, 2004 Q. What is the future of Shareef Abdur-Rahim? A. Expect him to be traded. Analysis: Abdur-Rahim has not fit with the Blazers since arriving in the Feb. 9 trade for Rasheed Wallace, and general manager John Nash all but said Thursday that the team will look to trade him this summer. After averaging nearly 36 minutes in Atlanta, Abdur-Rahim played 22.8 minutes in Portland and averaged 10.0 points while playing behind Zach Randolph. Q. Will the Blazers re-sign free agent Darius Miles? A. Yes. Analysis: The Blazers are high on the 22-year-old forward, and Miles seems to have found a niche on the team, on and off the court. The sticking point figures to be the number of years on the new contract. Miles wants a long-term deal; the Blazers are trying to reduce their long-term payroll. Said Nash: "I'm confident that we'll be able to work things out." Q. Will Maurice Cheeks return as coach? A. Yes. Analysis: Cheeks wants security, and if given the opportunity, he says he would listen to other team's offers. But he said his desire is to remain in Portland, where he has one year, plus a team option, remaining on his contract. There still is speculation whether the Philadelphia 76ers will make another run at Cheeks -- and whether the Blazers will allow Cheeks to interview -- but Cheeks on Thursday downplayed the scenario, saying, "There is no Philadelphia situation. I would like to be here next year. I am the Portland Trail Blazers' coach." Q. Will the Blazers look to trade one or both of their first- round picks (Nos. 13 and 23)? A. Yes. Analysis: In what is considered a weak draft, Nash said he views the Blazers' two picks as "assets." Said Nash: "Maybe they help us in a deal. Maybe we put the two together with a player and move up (in the draft). It remains to be seen." Q. What are the Blazers' needs in the offseason? A. Depth at shooting guard and point guard. Analysis: The Blazers are comfortable with Damon Stoudamire and Derek Anderson as their starters, but they will look to add either a backup or a top-notch player at both positions. The leading candidates in the free-agent market are Brent Barry (Seattle), Wesley Person (Atlanta), Stephen Jackson (Atlanta), Gordan Giricek (Utah), Jon Barry (Denver) and Nick Van Exel (Golden State). --

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