What's so untrue about that statement? If both sides agree that they aren't close on the dollars of a new deal and the employer choses to walk away from the table it's exactly the same as saying, "hey if you think you are worth it on the open market and want to take the risk, then that's your right Greg."
Well we don't know what kind of money Greg is going to command on the open market, but speaking from personal experience sometimes a job is more than just about the money, sometimes it's about the quality of life and the level of satisfaction that exists in a given situation. Seen from that perspective, Portland has mostly been a downer for Greg; if he leaves and takes less or equal money it could be just as much about finding a fresh start with lower expectations -- a place where he can be a little more anonymous even -- then I don't think there's anything particularly personal being directed at Blazers fans, but it very well could be personal for him in trying to do what's best for him and his career.
If I were in his shoes, I'd probably want very badly to get to just about anywhere else and start fresh, maybe that's not how he feels, but if he does stay it shouldn't be for some misplaced sense of owing the team or its fans anything it should be because he thinks this is the best place to make his career work. Whatever he eventually decides to do I think can live with the result.