Few teams have stronger blogdome presences than the Blazers. This serves to ensure that no tiny breadcrumbs at the end of beat writer notes columns ever go unnoticed. Via BlazersEdge, we get this nugget from Jason Quick's Oregonian column regarding Nate McMillan.

McMillan said he turned down an offer this summer to negotiate a contract extension with the Blazers. McMillan, who has two years remaining on a five-year, $30 million deal, said he wants to finish his five years before thinking about an extension. "I want to earn it," McMillan said. "We haven't done anything here yet, and when my five years is done, I want to make sure they want me and make sure I want to be here."

Coaches don't often refuse job security, as the position of 'NBA head coach' is one of the least secure in the country. The money's good, there's travel ... but no one does this job so they can stay with one "company" for a long time.

McMillan is one of the few young coaches in the league assumed to be in a position where he could keep his job a long time. It's no surprise Portland would approach him about securing the future. Why would McMillan refuse, though? (This assumes his stated reasoning -- he hasn't earned it yet -- is complete baloney. He has earned it.)

That last sentence -- "make sure I want to be here" -- seems telling. Does he think he'll be worth more next summer, should he take this young team to the postseason? Is there underlying friction between McMillan and energetic GM Kevin Pritchard? It's impossible to say, but it's worth considering so long as one side of the equation isn't keen to extend the commitment long-term.