There has been some trepidation this summer as Portland media -- namely Jason Quick of The Oregonian -- has reported trouble between the Blazers and star Brandon Roy with regards to his contract extension. Roy, as a three-year veteran, is eligible to have his rookie contract extended for up to five years, taking effect next July. He is expected to be the only maximum salary player from the draft class of 2006, but the issue with Portland has been contract length: Roy wanted a player option for the fifth season of the deal, and the Blazers weren't with it.Well, that's all over. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports tweets that the team has reached an agreement with Roy for a five-year extension worth about $80 million, following on Quick's Tuesday report the sides were close to an agreement.
There never should have been any question from the Blazers regarding a deal: Roy is not only the best asset Portland has, but he's truly one of the league's greatest young talents. He belongs in the same breath as Deron Williams and Dwight Howard, frankly, just behind LeBron James and Chris Paul.
Of course, there's no crime in the Blazers convincing Roy they know what's best for him. We don't yet know if the contract involves a player option for 2014-15, and that's the signal on which side "won." In the end, not even that matters right now. The key is that Roy will get paid, and the Blazers will have the services of a stud through his prime. Clink those glasses, Portland. It's a day to celebrate.
