Not sure why, but I have thought all along that Portland still has some sort of point-guard deal on the back burner that would be announced after the free agency chase is done. Not sure if it’s Kirk Hinrich, but that’s the one that makes the most sense.

Part of my suspicion is based on the fact that Portland hasn’t seemed to show a lot of interest in the free-agent point guards out there. They’ve been after forwards. Could that be because they’ve got a point guard already in their grasp?

I’ve also wondered if the Bayless point guard experiment in Las Vegas is a bit of a showcase, too. Perhaps they’re trying to prove to other teams Bayless can play the point. If so, that’s probably not going so well. It would make some degree of sense, though, because if you’re going out to acquire a point, you’re probably going to have to give one back.

Just idle summer musings.

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I know, JC came out this morning and pushed for Lamar Odom. I think we wrote about that quite a bit yesterday but he wrote just one sentence that I’d argue with just a bit:

 He’s tough. He’s versatile. He’s a winner.

The first two sentences are fine. Tough? Sure. Versatile? One of the most versatile players in the league. But a winner? I’m not sure how you quantify that. They won a lot of games the last few seasons with the Lakers, but does that make everyone on the team a winner? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that when Odom was with the Clippers all those years he wasn’t considered a winner. In fact, it’s one thing I can’t recall him ever being called.

He’s been inconsistent and indifferent at various times and seems to have responded to the coaching of Phil Jackson and nudges from Kobe Bryant. That doesn’t mean you’d see the same player somewhere else.

There’s also the problem of how he’d be used here. At one time, he was a viable small forward and he’s still considered a swing forward. He can play both spots. But he’d struggle defending small forwards and doesn’t have the kind of outside shot you’d want from that position. I think he’s a power forward — I think the Lakers do, too — and Portland already has one of those.

And look, I’m not trying to portray him as a bad guy. His teammates have always liked him and he’s frequently praised for playing with a lot of heart. I’m just not sure he’d be happy here and not sure the Lakers are really willing to let him go — particularly to a division conference rival.

After Odom, things are bleak. My stance has been the same since the Turkoglu thing fell through. I believe at this point the Blazers should hold onto the money that seems to be burning a hole in their pocket. Wait for the appropriate unbalanced trade. Somewhere between now and the deadline, something will pop up.

If it doesn’t, we’ll all be right here to question why they didn’t do something sooner, right?

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RealGM is reporting that Portland is one of three teams in the chase for him. He played well against the Blazers last season. Here is all the statistical info on him. He’s been in the league four seasons and has started just five games — so how much would you have to give him?

I would guess no more than $3 million to $4 million, which is about what the Pistons could pay. But on the other hand, maybe $5 million if the Blazers have to overpay to get him to come here.

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Forget the tours. Don’t worry about the fancy dinner or the luxury items.

Be careful about bidding against yourself, but you better acknowledge right now what it’s really all about. It’s always about the money. Always. And it’s the guy’s last big contract.

If you want him, it’s real simple. Pay the man.

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This should be a very exciting time for Trail Blazer fans. The development days are over. For the first time in many, many seasons the front office is chasing a big-ticket free agent.

It’s a test, too — can this franchise lure a key player to Portland? Can Kevin Pritchard make this city a destination for good players looking to win a championship? Or are those players going to do what they usually do — stay with their original team for money or seek the big markets and/or the sun belt?

That’s what we should all be thinking about. But just from the comments in the last few days about Hedo Turkoglu, I have a feeling a lot of Trail Blazer fans are pretty conflicted. Is this really the player who is going to put Portland over the top? Is small forward the position where you felt the most need? Is this a guy you want to see $50 million invested in?

And by the way, if Turkoglu comes here, there has to be some sort of trade in the offing (probably the Kirk Hinrich deal) because Travis Outlaw would never wear a Trail Blazer uniform again.

Honestly, is Hedo the right guy?

I don’t think I’m the only one a little bit skeptical about this. Yes, I wrote yesterday that I was coming around to it. I can see what they see. I guess I’m just not as certain as they are ($50 million certain) that it’s going to work.

I’m not sure this whole thing feels the way it’s supposed to feel.

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That’s the next meaningful date for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Yes, they can speak to free agents on July 1, but they can’t sign any. And until July 8 they can’t do an unbalanced trade — a deal that allows them to spend cap space rather than players to balance out salaries. They will find out the cap number sometime on July 7 and be able to move at midnight. This same situation seems to be affecting all the various Amare Stoudemire trade scenarios.

Everyone is talking about free agency for the Blazers but Kevin Pritchard admitted Thursday night that it’s just as likely the cap room the Blazers have — still uncertain because the cap figure could drop from last season — could be used in a trade as be used in a free-agent signing.

Pritchard also said the team already has a list of players in mind it will target and will not necessarily limit itself to signing or obtaining just one player. There’s no doubt that point guards are high on the list.

All in all, a pretty dull night for Blazer fans, who obviously are accustomed to a lot more drama. But whatever. We’re going to have to wait a couple more weeks for that.

One small farewell: I’m going to miss Sergio Rodriguez. He was a real fun player to watch operate when he had the freedom to wheel and deal. I hope he has a great career in Sacramento.

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