Reports: Blazers opt to cut Adam Morrison; retirement next?
Adam Morrison was the No. 3 pick in the 2006 draft. (Getty Images)
By Ben Golliver
The Portland Trail Blazers informed training camp invite Adam Morrison that he would be released this weekend, according to reports by The Oregonian and The Columbian. The decision could mark the end of Morrison's professional basketball journey.
Morrison, 28, had been attempting to resuscitate an NBA career that began when he was the No. 3 pick in the 2006 draft by the Charlotte Bobcats after a standout career at Gonzaga. A devastating knee injury compounded questions about his athleticism and defensive abilities, and Morrison washed out of the league after playing just 161 games over three seasons with the Bobcats and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The rebuilding Blazers offered Morrison a camp invite after an impressive week at the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 20.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in five games for the Los Angeles Clippers. While Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters on Media Day that Morrison had a "legitimate chance" to make the roster, his odds to stick were never great, as the Blazers already had 15 guaranteed contracts. Morrison appeared in five preseason games for the Blazers, averaging 3.2 points and 1.4 rebounds.
When training camp opened, Morrison told CSNNW.com that he would consider retirement if he was released by the Blazers as he had no desire to continue playing professionally overseas after spending the last two seasons in Serbia and Turkey.
"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."
