not ideal

T he Trail Blazers brain trust spent Wednesday holed up in Kevin Pritchard's office at the team practice facility in Tualatin. Pritchard, assistant general manager Tom Penn and scout Michael Born pored over binders, and challenged each other to be creative, and sifted through trade offers.

At the end of business, the Blazers held up a $3-million trade exception as if they were anglers posing for a photograph and the thing were a large-mouthed bass.

More on the big fish later.

Are the franchise fishermen done?

That's the big question as the NBA trade deadline arrives today. Because while the brain trust is collectively refusing comment, and will rise today at 3:30 a.m. to begin again fielding trade inquiries, team insiders say the Blazers are unlikely to make a move unless it's one sweetheart of a deal, which is only to say, brace yourself for a whole bunch of nothing today.

Remember, we've just watched NBA teams make financially motivated decisions over the last week. The teams aren't seeking talent, they're seeking payroll relief. Which only means already desperate and cash-poor NBA owners who are looking for financial freedom will be even more leveraged next summer.

We're back to let it bake, right?

Months ago, I joined the ranks of those who believe the Blazers should be patient. The team was young, and you don't make moves just to make moves. This was barely a playoff team back then. Except, then Portland reeled off more victories than anyone expected over the first few months of the season, revealed itself as a legitimate playoff team, and went to the All-Star break as the No. 4 team in the Western Conference.

Then, Lakers center Andrew Bynum went down with a knee injury. And San Antonio looks old. And New Orleans doesn't look so imposing while it's attempting, even unsuccessfully, to shed talent.

We're back to make it better, aren't we?

Except sometimes making it better becomes a long wait for the summer.

I want the Blazers to make a trade that gets them closer to a championship today. You want a big trade. Your wife wants one. Your children want one. Even your family dog wants one. And that the team is closer now to breaking through amplifies the urgency of that to us all.

Except, turns out the offers for Raef LaFrentz's expiring contract have been interesting, but not ideal for the Blazers' needs. Vince Carter, 32, doesn't fit at all. Others, so far, are asking for Nicolas Batum or one of the other good young players, and the Blazers aren't going to give up the future unless they're getting exactly what they need in return.

So far, Portland just isn't feeling like it has an offer it can't refuse. And unless that changes in the hours before the deadline, the Blazers aren't going to involve themselves in a trade simply to be active. The franchise fire sales are for other places now.

This is how you end up with breaking news that featured only Ike Diogu and cash being traded from Portland to Sacramento on Wednesday. And with the Blazers getting Chicago forward Michael Ruffin, who hasn't played a lick this season after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. And also, with Portland getting that interesting trade exception.

A small fish trade, you're thinking.

The trade exception is good for one year. It allows Portland to approach some cash-poor team in the summer and make a lopsided trade for a player or a draft pick, up to $3 million, while offering nothing in return. One NBA executive said upon hearing the Blazers get the exception: "Portland just stole another first-round draft pick."

Portland beat Memphis 94-90 on Wednesday. The Blazers blew a 16-point lead, then Brandon Roy saved them again. Darius Miles was booed, and scored six points. And that settled for family entertainment on a night when so many hoped for something bigger to cheer about.

The Blazers believe they can make the roster better in the summer. They feel like the tough financial times, and the plummeting fortunes of the men who own some of the teams in the league, have presented an opportunity for teams that remain buyers.

They promise, they'll continue looking today, though.

They're still buying, they'll tell you. They're just not sure that big transaction comes today. Which only means brace yourselves for nothing today.

Not what you wanted, but it sure beats watching another draft lottery, doesn't it?

John Canzano: 503-294-5065;

JohnCanzano@aol.com

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