The Greg Oden clock starts ticking for the Trail Blazers
The clock on Greg Oden's uncertain future with the Trail Blazers officially started ticking Monday.

The Dallas Mavericks' championship victory Sunday night triggered the start of a deadline for the Blazers to tender an $8.8 million qualifying offer to the soon-to-be free agent center. The Blazers, who did not extend an offer Monday, have until June 30 to do so.

Assuming they do -- and the Blazers have given indications they will -- Oden will become a restricted free agent on July 1, which means the Blazers will have the upperhand in resigning the former No. 1 overall draft pick who's brief NBA career has been marred by injuries and surgeries.

 Trail Blazers will sign center Steven Hill to training camp contract
The Trail Blazers plan to sign center Steven Hill to a training camp contract in an effort to fortify their injury-depleted frontcourt, according to a source close to the situation.

The 7-foot Hill, who played on the Blazers’ summer league team in 2008 and briefly with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2008-09 season, was traveling to Portland Sunday afternoon and the parties were optimistic that Hill would be available to play Monday night, when the Blazers host the Utah Jazz in a preseason game.

 Trail Blazers: Two teams interested in Blazers' Monty Williams



 Blazer assistant coach Monty Williams has attracted the attention of two teams looking for a head coach.

 Dempsey: Warkentien rumors worrisome

By Chris Dempsey

About a week or so ago, reports surfaced that Portland is interested in Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets vice president of basketball operations, becoming its next general manager.

Currently, Kevin Pritchard is the Trail Blazers' general manager. But after team president Tom Penn was recently fired, Warren Legarie — agent for Miller and Pritchard — openly wondered if his other Trail Blazers client was next.

 Vulcans are hovering and Kevin Pritchard could be next
John Canzano, The Oregonian

Might be a good time for Kevin Pritchard to wipe his computer hard drive clean. And he should probably get a second cellular telephone for non-business calls, and also, be careful who he talks to about his future as the Trail Blazers general manager.

Note to KP: Watch your back.

 Blazers face another tough decision with injury-plagued Oden

 Kevin Pritchard says Blazers are 'having discussions' about trades