Qyntel

Woods

It is thought that the Blazers are contemplating waiving Woods, 23, who is to make $1.127 million this season.

Coach Stan Van Gundy said Woods would have to outplay Rasual Butler and Shandon Anderson to earn playing time. He’s currently serving a five-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. He won’t have any fantasy value this season, but hopefully can get his life and career turned around.

The Blazers declined to comment on how the admission involving dogfighting would affect Woods’ status with the team. The agreement means Woods will not face a much more serious charge of felony dogfighting, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $125,000 fine.

Woods, who was drafted out of high school two years ago, seems to be growing up now. Working with a personal trainer has allowed him to add 15 pounds of muscle, and he has impressed in summer-league action. He’ll be given an opportunity to take over as Derek Anderson’s top backup this season.

Woods, 22, was cited for possession and passed a field sobriety test but told officers he had smoked marijuana six hours earlier and that he had tried to quit for three years but couldn’t because he was addicted. The NBA said the information in the police report falls under a ''reasonable cause’’ provision in the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which would allow the league to request a hearing with an independent expert, who would determine whether a drug test should be administered.

Woods spent the past three years playing in Poland, where he won three PLK titles. He played a stint in China, too, as part of his successful overseas career.

No criminal charges have been filed yet, but that’s not stopping the Blazers from taking the initiative here. Dogfighting is a felony in Oregon. Promoting or conducting dogfighting is punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and five years in jail.

Woods isn’t coming back to the NBA any time soon (if ever), but he’s found a niche for himself overseas.

Authorities in Portland are tracing a trail that may connect an abandoned, wounded pit bull back to Woods. There have been rumors here and there that the Blazers have attempted to trade him, but nothing has come through.