What's Next For Portland? By: Wendell Maxey Last Updated: 7/25/09 7:07 AM ET | 2098 times read Twenty-four days into free agency and the Portland Trail Blazers finally got their man – or at least one of them. After failing to land Hedo Turkoglu and Paul Millsap in free agency, the Blazers signed free agent point guard Andre Miller on Friday to a multi-year contract believed to be a three-year deal worth $21 million. Miller had been in discussions with the New York Knicks earlier in the week but left impressed with Portland's youthful core after meeting with Blazers' team officials in Las Vegas last weekend. Once Portland made a formal offer on Friday, it didn't take long for Miller to make his choice. "I hope to provide veteran leadership to a young talented nucleus and help Portland take the next step in the pursuit of a championship," Miller, who has averaged 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in his 10 seasons in the league. With the addition of Miller, Portland gets not only a point guard who can break down a defense and get into the paint, but also someone who will help the development of both Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge's game as well. The Blazers also became more durable by adding Miller. In his 10 NBA seasons, he's only missed three games leading Portland's management to applaud Miller as an "ironman" in the shades of former NBA point guard Avery Johnson. Portland had been shopping for a point guard for much of the offseason and now with Miller onboard, attention shifts to what the Blazers will do next in player movement. They continue to be in need of a back-up to Aldridge, and just weeks ago were said to be in heavy pursuit of a small forward. Yet while management maintains they like their roster from last season – a team that won 54 games – and depth at each position, will there be more additions in the weeks and months to come? "I don't see many moves. There could be smaller free agent signings," said General Manager Kevin Pritchard in a press conference late Friday afternoon. A small group could fall into the "free agent signings" Pritchard spoke of, particularly for reserve power forwards still available in free ageny. Leon Powe, Joe Smith, Shelden Williams, Melvin Ely, Malik Rose, Donyell Marshall are all unrestricted and are players who would fit the bill Portland is looking for in a back-up to Aldridge. However, in the past two weeks Portland has been known to go off the radar to look for possible solutions to their roster: they worked out Sean May (who signed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings last week) in Las Vegas during the week of summer league, and also spoke with point guard Carlos Arroyo. It's clear Portland is keeping their options open. Even with a short free agency shopping list in the making, there remains question marks surrounding the role of sophomore point guard Jerryd Bayless who – according to multiple sources – is being heavily shopped by Portland. "It's going to be competitive at every position," Pritchard said when asked about Bayless' current role at the point with the Miller now in the mix. "Nate (McMillan) has been pretty demonstrative in that. Good competition leads to better play. There's going to be competition at that point guard position. I'm not saying Andre (Miller) is going to be the starter." That battle will pan out in October at training camp between Miller, Steve Blake and perhaps even Bayless. For now though, Portland is basking in the signing of Andre Miller while looking ahead for what is yet to come. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13435 真要賣？？ 真希望他從來不曾待過拓仔隊 真痛苦 --

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