Brandon Roy is going to get one more shot.
The player who has four years, $68 million left on his max contract and no cartilage left in his knees will not have the amnesty clause used on him yet, he will play Portland again this season, reports Ben Goliver at Blazers Edge. Roy and Blazers staff had a 90-minute meeting recently to discuss his future.
Here is the direct quote from acting general manager Chad Buchanan:
What’s more, coach Nate McMillan suggested he could use Brandon Roy as the starter at the two and not Nicolas Batum. Roy rested his knees this summer and told the Blazers they felt very strong.
The question is how much Roy can contribute before his knees start to wear, especially in a condensed schedule where he will get less rest. As we saw in the playoffs last year, he is still capable of great games, but that will not be the consistent part.
In Portland Roy is beloved and the popular sentiment was to give him another shot. But, if he cannot contribute anywhere near his max deal, they may have to amnesty him eventually to move the rebuilding along (they can use it any time during his deal).
But eventually is not now.