The Portland Trail Blazers had an incredibly busy summer but they still have an important issue to address: Mason Plumlee‘s contract.
Plumlee is entering his fourth year in the league and the organization needs to decide if they will offer him an extension before the October 31 deadline.
When speaking to CSN NW’s Jason Quick, the Blazers’ president of basketball operations Neil Olshey revealed that he has briefly discussed the pressing matter with Plumlee’s agent, Mark Bartelstein.
Bartelstein confirmed that talks have taken place but can’t confirm how or when they will end.
“I can’t say whether or not we will get something done or not,” Bartelstein said. “We are fine either way, we really are. If we get a deal done now that works for both sides, great. If not, we will revisit it in the summer.”
Olshey is seemingly interested in talking to Bartelstein, but insisted that he will take a familiar approach with the discussions.
“I’ve been pretty consistent with this: I don’t have extension discussions – unless it’s a no-brainer max discussion – until the week that the deadline hits,” Olshey said. “But unless it’s a no-brainer Damian Lillard max (contract), or a no-brainer CJ max, nothing gets done over the course of four months that can’t get done over the course of four days.”
Reassuringly for Blazers fans, Bartelstein also spoke of just how much Plumlee has enjoyed his time in Portland.
“But one of the things I do know is Mason had the time of his life last year,” Bartelstein said. “He loves it in Portland. He loves the guys, he loves playing for Coach Stotts, and the fans embraced him. Portland fans know the game, and they loved his energy, his athleticism and his motor.”
Plumlee turns 27 in March and he said that he won’t let the contract talks get in the way of performance.
“I’ve always had mentality that every year is a big year because you only get so many of them,” Plumlee said. “The life of the NBA is not forever, but I don’t wait until a contract year to prepare differently or do anything differently. I take the same approach every year.”
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