July 26, 2004

The Portland Trail Blazers met with local media today to discuss the offer sheet extended to Guard Trenton Hassell.

Per Trail Blazers policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement set forth by the National Basketball Association, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have 15 days to match the Trail Blazers offer.

Click here to listen to the press conference

Click here to watch the press conference

Trail Blazers General Manager John Nash, Head Coach Maurice Cheeks and Hassell answered the following questions:

Question: Any idea on what Minnesota plans to do?

John Nash: Minnesota has to determine what's in their best interest. They don't want to lose a great player like Trenton, but they have to decide what they want to do. I talked to their GM and told him we would be making the offer. He didn't give me any indication in which direction he would go.


Question: What do you think about the Trail Blazers?

Trenton Hassell: I'm just glad to be here and have the opportunity to play for a great coach. I know Portland has a great team. They beat Minnesota 3 out of 4 times last year.


Question: How do you see Trenton fitting into the rotation?

Maurice Cheeks: Trent and Derek Anderson can be at the two and Damon Stoudamire and Nick Van Exel at the one. That gives us flexibility and a great rotation. With Trent and Theo Ratliff being our two defenders, it gives us a better chance to win ballgames.


Question: Was Hassell on your earlier list of players to look out for?

Nash: We've been talking since the end of the year about a priority list. Maurice, Paul, Steve, the whole coaching staff, we all had Trenton right at the top. The market was a little bit of a surprise to us, so we had to alter our plans a bit. We're just excited to be at the point where we can make this offer and he's willing to accept.


Question: Have you heard anything about the fans here?

Hassell: I know the team has great fan support. I appreciate good fans and I think I can fit in well here with this team. I think the fans will want to get behind me.


Question: Are you worried about playing time at the guard position?

Cheeks: Trenton can defend the perimeter, and makes our defense a lot better. I think the rotation and playing time just depends on the game. Whoever we need to play in a game will play. If Derek is helping us, Trenton stays on the bench - if we need Trenton, then Derek stays on the bench.


Question: What is most intriguing to you about Hassell?

Nash: Overall, he's a stellar defensive player. He brings heart and dedication to the game. We're interested in his all-around game and character, we think he makes a good fit.


Question: In the NBA, it's so hard to get a player to play defense. What is it about defense that makes you play it so well?

Hassell: Well, when I first started out I didn’t have a choice because that was the only way I was going to be able to play. I knew there were a lot of scorers in this league, but there are not a lot of people that are willing to sacrifice and play defense, so I kind of got a reputation that I did well at.


Question: What about Trenton's game is most impressive?

Cheeks: He likes to play defense, that’s the only way you become a good defender, if you like to do it. I think we're trying to improve our team and he can help us do that. A perimeter defender piece was needed for our team, Trenton is that piece.


Question: Will the signing of Hassel have any effect on what resigning Darius Miles?

Nash: This will have no effect with Darius Miles. That negotiation is completely separate.