The Portland Trail Blazers declined team options for 13-14 on Luke Babbitt, Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams.

The Blazers largely made the decision based on a desire to preserve cap space for the 2013 offseason.

“Based on our evaluation of the free agent market and the number of teams with significant cap room next summer, in order to be a player at all in free agency, we needed the flexibility,” general manager Neil Olshey said.

The Blazers will have between $11.8 million and $13 million in cap space next summer, Olshey said. 

The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Chris McGowan to replace Larry Miller as president of the franchise.

"I am confident (McGowan) will find ways to improve the Blazers' business performance, which is key to the team's overall success," said owner Paul Allen.

McGowan worked closely with the Los Angeles Kings and the L.A. Galaxy of the MLS. 

McGowan will report to Peter McLoughlin, president of the Seahawks and Sounders, as well as CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment. 

The Portland Trail Blazers have waived five players, including Adam Morrison, who was the third overall pick of the 2006 NBA draft.

The Blazers also waived Coby Karl, Dallas Lauderdale, Demonte Harper and Justin Holiday.

Portland's roster stands at 15 heading into their season opener on Wednesday night.

Ben Falk is the statistical analyst of the Portland Trail Blazers.

"(Falk is) probably the top analytics guy in our the league," said Neil Olshey during a recent Blazers' broadcast.

Falk had a perfect score on his SATs.

"Ben is a brilliant kid, he gives us a game review. At the end of it, it was just a general comment: It's not rocket science, if we play good defense, we win. If we don't play good defense, we lose. That's going to be the common denominator. We're going to score the ball. If we can crank up our pressure defensively, first and second unit, and really tighten that side of the floor.

Adam Morrison has performed well over the first two weeks of camp with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Terry Stotts has praised the work ethic, shooting ability and defensive effort of Morrison.

"I hope so," Morrison said about whether he will remain with the team once the regular season begins. "(Blazers management) told me to come here and be myself, try to get baskets and battle on defense. And that's what I've been doing. I know everybody is going to nit pick about my ability and my past, but I'm just here to play as best as I can and see what happens." 

Morrison has new competition for a roster spot, as the Blazers claimed small forward Justin Holiday off waivers on Friday.

"It would mean a lot to be able to look myself in the mirror and say, 'I did it.'" Morrison said. "But if I don't make it, at least I can look myself in the mirror and say, 'I didn't go out like a sucker,' and walk away knowing that I didn't just give up. Obviously it would mean the world if I made it back. But for me, just being able to look myself in the mirror and know that I'm not a quitter is enough." 

The Portland Trail Blazers claimed Justin Holiday off waivers.

Holiday was waived by the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Holiday is a 6-foot-6 guard/forward who gained the reputation of being a good defender for the Huskies. 

By claiming him off waivers, the Blazers picked up Holiday's Cleveland contract as a training camp invitee. 

The Portland Trail Blazers have until October 31st to exercise their team options for 13-14 on Luke Babbitt, Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams.

"We have some decisions to make," Blazers general manager Neil Olshey said. 

Olshey is working on collecting 'assets' and maintaining maximum cap flexibility.

The preseason is serving as an evaluation period for those three players.

"Honestly, I'm focused on this year," Babbitt said. "Would I like to be here next year? Yeah. But they've got a decision to make and a lot of that stuff is out of my control. If I'm somewhere else, then I'll be happy to go there and continue to play my game. Guys who play spread four are valuable these days." 

Adam Morrison intends to retire from basketball if he doesn't make the roster of the Portland Trail Blazers.

“I'm going to finish school and start coaching (If he didn't make the Trail Blazers roster)...I did the Europe thing and it just wasn't for me,” Morrison told CSNNW.com. “Not saying the (Europe) culture or anything like that, (or) the people, it just wasn't for me. So, yeah, if it doesn't work out, I'm willing to look myself in the mirror and say, 'I gave it a honest shot' and turn the page. Do something else.”

Morrison was complimented by Terry Stotts on his scoring, but said he will have to prove himself capable defensively to make the roster.

“I think everybody is aware that he has a great ability to put the ball in the basket,” Stotts said after the team's first training camp session. “He can make shots, he can create shots. That's his strength. That's his bread and butter and that's the way he will prove himself.

“But at the same token, he has to do a little of everything: He's got to defend, he has to fit within the team. If he has to beat somebody out, he has to beat somebody out. So, I think there are a lot of factors.”