Blazers owner Paul Allen has told general manager Kevin Pritchard to upgrade the team's roster with an eye on competing next season.

"Overall, our timeline has moved up," Pritchard said last week after a meeting with Allen. "We need to take it to the next level."

Portland won 54 games in 2008-09 and made their first playoff appearance since 2003.

Nate McMillan, the team's head coach, said that Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw are drawing attention around the league.

"The thing is, teams want these guys because they think we will part ways with them. But we like them, too," McMillan said.

The Blazers could potentially target free agents like Andre Miller, Hedo Turkoglu and Antonio McDyess.

"One thing I've always liked about this time of year is the possibility," Pritchard said. "I've told our guys to be open for possibility. We might shut down those possibilities, and we probably will, but the excitement of that next call, that next team ... that's what makes this fun for me.

"But I will assure you: When it's time to run -- we will run," Pritchard added. "What I mean by that is when I feel like there's the right deal to take us to next level, I'm not going to be afraid to make it. I just have to make sure it's the right one."