PORTLAND—Arron Afflalo’s Portland Trail Blazers career appears to have been short-lived.
Afflalo officially became a free-agent on Tuesday as he did not exercise his player option for the 2015-16 season.
Afflalo was acquired at the Feb. 19 trade deadline along with Alonzo Gee for Will Barton, Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver and a lottery protected 2016 first-round pick.
Afflalo played 25 games for the Blazers and started 19 of them after Wesley Matthews missed the rest of the season after tearing his achilles tendon on March 5.
Afflalo shot over 40 percent on 3-pointers during his time in Portland but his midrange shooting never came around. He injured his shoulder in an April 9 loss to the Golden State Warriors which derailed his season.
He returned to play in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the Blazers’ opening round playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies but was ineffectively while visibly playing through pain.
Afflalo came to the Blazers with aspirations of winning a championship. With the uncertainty surrounding free-agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, it is unclear if the Blazers will be in a position to contend once again.
Afflalo’s decision opens up nearly $8 million in cap space, which gives the Blazers more financial flexibility in free-agency.
Matthews reportedly wants $15M salary
The Blazers could certainly use that added flexibility, especially if they plan to max out Aldridge and give Matthews what he reportedly wants.
USA Today reported late Monday that Matthews is seeking a multi-year deal worth about $15 million per season.
Matthews made $7.2 million last season in Portland. Afflalo’s decision to opt out opens up $7.8 million.
The salary cap is projected to jump to $89 million in 2016-17 — up from $67.1 million in 2015-16 — when the league’s new television rights deal kicks in.
Matthews tore his Achilles on March 5 in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Charlotte beats Rip City for 2017 All-Star Game
On Tuesday, the NBA held a press conference in Charlotte, announcing that the Hornets have been awarded the 2017 NBA All-Star game.
The Blazers and the City of Portland bid to host the 2017 and 2018 NBA All-Star games last summer.
At the 2015 All-Star Game in New York, Adam Silver expressed concerns about hotel space to host the event.
“One of the issues historically for communities like Portland is frankly the number of hotel rooms,” Silver said. “We have 1,800 credentialed members of the media alone in need of hotel rooms. Then we have thousands of guests who come to town as well. I would love to end up having an All-Star game in Portland. It’s really just a function of ensuring we can fit in town.”
Blazers president Chris McGowan has been adamant that Portland is ready to host and has added 1,500 hotel rooms since their last bid.
Portland’s bid for 2018 appears to hinge on the construction of a new 600-room hotel at the Portland Convention Center. But the Willamette Week reported earlier this year that lawsuits could potentially push the construction back past the 2018 deadline.
