Steve Blake is without a contract for the first time in his 13 NBA seasons at the age of 36.

Blake was hopeful of receiving a call from the Houston Rockets when Mike D'Antoni was hired but instead signed Pablo Prigioni to a two-year deal.

When Mo Williams retired, Blake hoped the Cleveland Cavaliers would be interested but they instead have targeted Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers.

"I've never had to wait this long," Blake concedes. "I've always had a place to go. To be in this space ... it's definitely different."

Blake scrimmaged with the Portland Trail Blazers before camp started but he still lifts and does conditioning drills.

Blake is open to taking a coaching job but still prefers to play.

"Sometimes," Blake says, "you don't realize you are retired until you don't have a job."