Brian Grant turns down Blazers' 6 yr/$70 Million offer

From the AP Wire :
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AUGUST 07, 19:02 EDT

Source: Grant Rejects Blazers Offer

By RICHARD GREEN
Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Trail Blazers power forward Brian Grant has turned down an offer worth more than $70 million over six years, one that would have kept him in Portland, a source within the organization said Monday.

``He has basically said he does not want to play in Portland,'' the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said negotiations between Grant and the Blazers are continuing.

``This has been a very complicated, difficult process,'' he said. ``We're looking at different options.''

He refused to comment directly on Grant's feelings on the latest contract offer and on whether he would like to play for Portland again.

Last week, Grant rejected a seven-year, $93 million deal that would have been used in a sign-and-trade for Shawn Kemp of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Grant also rejected an earlier four-year, $42 million offer from the Trail Blazers to stay in Portland.

Bartelstein said last week ``it's not about the money.''

The Oregonian reported in its Monday editions that Grant is interested in the Miami Heat.

The newspaper cited an NBA source as saying Grant met with the Heat last week on his way to a vacation in Jamaica.

Grant apparently was considering a move to Miami for the NBA's $2.25 million, mid-level salary cap exception.

Grant entered free agency hoping to land a six- or seven-year contract that would give his family financial security and sustain him into the twilight of his career. He also has been looking for a good place to raise his children and the opportunity to play more than he did last season with the Blazers.

The Blazers, meantime, want to fortify their front line and improve a team that came close to beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

Grant, 28, remains one of the league's best all-around power forwards despite being slowed by knee and foot injuries last season. He reached his peak in 1999, starting 46 of 50 games and averaging 11.5 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Grant had surgery on his left knee after the season and missed the first eight games of 1999-00. By the time he returned, Rasheed Wallace was firmly established at power forward and was on his way toward making the All-Star team.

Grant, who later missed another 11 games with plantar fasciaitis in his right foot, finished the season averaging 21 minutes, 7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds — all career lows.


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