Travis Outlaw is as nice a person as you'll find in the NBA, and the sixth-year small forward would never complain about his position with the Trail Blazers.
But the 6-9 Outlaw -- a Sixth Man of the Year candidate -- can't help but wonder about his role with Portland next season. He's not sure if he'll get as many touches on a second unit that will include rookie point guard Jerryd Bayless and Spanish shooting guard Rudy Fernandez. "I saw Bayless have a great summer league," Outlaw said. "And Rudy, he had a great Olympics, you know? Shots are going to go down somewhere, and I feel I'm the lowest guy on the totem pole, so it may be me."
Outlaw, who turns 24 on Sept. 18, is now the senior member of the Blazers in terms of experience with the club. He has two more years on his contract, but the second year is at the club's option, so he could be in a contract year.
"We have a really good team," Outlaw said, "but I don't know if they are going to be able to keep us together. I don't want to be a sixth man forever."
Outlaw enjoys playing for the Blazers, however, and would prefer to stay with the team. He has worked out hard this summer and expects to be improved from last season, when he averaged career highs in scoring (13.3) and rebounds (4.6). His personal goal is to raise those numbers to 16 and eight in 2008-09.
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