NBA Trade Rumors: Blazers Trying To Land A Center

April 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14) dunks to score a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, it was reported the Portland Trail Blazers were interested in making a deal that could potentially land them Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat.

Gortat fits the bill as the “traditional” center the Blazers are trying to pair with veteran power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The Blazers used one of the first round picks last year on Illinois center Meyers Leonard, but he is not ready for that type of a role.

According to John Canzano of The Oregonian, Gortat isn’t the only veteran big man Portland is targeting.

Canzano, citing a league source, writes the Blazers “have interest in two restricted free-agent centers: San Antonio’s Tiago Splitter and Minnesota’s Nikola Pekovic.”

Canzano also confirms the Gortat rumors, saying “this comes after a trade-proposal report that would have the Blazers trading their lottery pick to Phoenix for center Marcin Gortat.”

Both Splliter and Pekovic are restricted free agents, meaning even if the Blazers made a big offer to either player and got them to sign an offer sheet, their current teams, the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves, could match the offer.

The Blazers have the 10th overall pick in Thursday night’s draft.

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