Post by CC06 on Sept 14, 2022 10:16:21 GMT -5
Abdur-Rahim wants out of Portland
After what many saw as an unlikely run to a third championship in the last four seasons, things are not as rosy in Portland as one might assume. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the team's starting power forward, has made it known to his agent that he would prefer that Game 6 of the 1999 TSFBL Finals be the last game he plays in a Trail Blazer uniform. Abdur-Rahim, just 24 years old, is a restricted free agent this off-season.
The core of Abdur-Rahim's frustration seems to stem from a lack of opportunity within the Portland offense. He was fifth on the team in shot attempts this past season, and has never gotten much of an opportunity to be a featured player in his four years despite being a lottery selection in the 1996 Rookie Draft. Trading away Vin Baker was supposed to be the move that opened up the role that Shareef wanted, but it did not work out that way despite the team's opportunistic championship run.
It remains to be seen just how serious Abdur-Rahim is about an exit strategy from Portland. If he accepts a long-term offer sheet from another team, Portland has the opportunity to match, and then he couldn't be traded until the All-Star break this season. He has the option to take the qualifying offer and try his hand at unrestricted free agency next off-season, but this option both carries a lot of risk and forces him to spend one more season in Portland. For the benefit of both parties, it makes sense for Portland to seek out a sign-and-trade partner.
After what many saw as an unlikely run to a third championship in the last four seasons, things are not as rosy in Portland as one might assume. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the team's starting power forward, has made it known to his agent that he would prefer that Game 6 of the 1999 TSFBL Finals be the last game he plays in a Trail Blazer uniform. Abdur-Rahim, just 24 years old, is a restricted free agent this off-season.
The core of Abdur-Rahim's frustration seems to stem from a lack of opportunity within the Portland offense. He was fifth on the team in shot attempts this past season, and has never gotten much of an opportunity to be a featured player in his four years despite being a lottery selection in the 1996 Rookie Draft. Trading away Vin Baker was supposed to be the move that opened up the role that Shareef wanted, but it did not work out that way despite the team's opportunistic championship run.
It remains to be seen just how serious Abdur-Rahim is about an exit strategy from Portland. If he accepts a long-term offer sheet from another team, Portland has the opportunity to match, and then he couldn't be traded until the All-Star break this season. He has the option to take the qualifying offer and try his hand at unrestricted free agency next off-season, but this option both carries a lot of risk and forces him to spend one more season in Portland. For the benefit of both parties, it makes sense for Portland to seek out a sign-and-trade partner.