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Blazers hope Sabonis will stay put next season
Veteran center is one of four Portland free agents

by Andrew Seligman | Columbian staff writer | July 12, 2001

PORTLAND — If Arvydas Sabonis really is serious about retiring, Maurice Cheeks has some advice.

Don’t do it.

The Trail Blazers’ new coach made it clear Wednesday that he would like to see Sabonis playing for Portland next season.

“Sabonis is a pretty good player,” Cheeks said. “He has a lot of savvy.”

The 36-year-old Sabonis, who earned $10.6 million, averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. He’s one of four Blazers on the market, the others being Stacey Augmon, Antonio Harvey and Rod Strickland. The NBA also lists Detlef Schrempf, who has announced plans to retire.

President and general manager Bob Whitsitt said he’s had discussions with the free agents, but there are more questions than answers.

After a disappointing conclusion last season, will the Blazers make a major move? And, given the payroll, is that possible?

Last year, salaries totaled nearly $90 million, and even if Sabonis and the other free agents bolt, the Blazers will be well over a salary cap that is scheduled to be announced Tuesday. It is expected to be set at around $42 million, with owners being taxed a dollar for each dollar of payroll that exceeds $54 million.

That means making moves might be difficult.

“We had a good team last year,” Whitsitt said. “We had a good team the year before. And we have a good team now.”

After unraveling late in the season, the Blazers finished 50-32 and were swept by the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

Still, Cheeks said, “This team won 50 games. This is a pretty good team as it is. I don’t think you make a move just to make a move.”

The coach, predictably, is optimistic ... about the season and his opportunity. He spent eight years — one in the CBA and the past seven in Philadelphia — as an assistant.

This is his first head-coaching assignment, and he’ll get a taste of his new job during the coming weeks.

The Blazers’ squad opens play Saturday against the Bulls at the Southern California Summer Pro League in Long Beach. They will play five games there, the last being July 20, and six at the Rocky Mountain Review in Salt Lake City July 22-28.

“I’m just trying to work on getting the system intact,” Cheeks said. “It’ll be good for the young guys to get experience.”

Two of those “young guys,” first-round draft pick Zach Randolph and second-round selection Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, were in Portland Wednesday to meet the media.

“I’ll do whatever they want me to do,” Randolph said. “Rebound. Score. Sit on the bench. Whatever.”

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