Portland a factor in Felton talks?
Chances are, the Bobcats have leverage in these negotiations with restricted free-agent point guard Raymond Felton. That could potentially change -- emphasize the word "potentially'' -- if the Utah Jazz chooses to match the Portland Trail Blazers' offer sheet to power forward Paul Millsap.
If Millsap goes back to Utah, then Portland starts shopping again. The Blazers would be one of the few teams with considerable salary-cap room this summer and GM Kevin Pritchard has acknowledged some interest in Felton.
I don't know if Felton would be next on Portland's wish list. And even then, would the Blazers value Felton enough to offer him more than the Bobcats would match to retain him? All good questions, because it's hard to gauge how the Bobcats' financial issues affect what they would or wouldn't do to maintain their core talent.
Recall managing partner Michael Jordan saying he didn't see any situation "where (Felton) is not with us.'' It would be interesting to see some other team test that presumption.
