Chad Ford is reporting the Blazers are kicking around the idea of trading Zach Randolph. Randolph's unwillingness to play team basketball has lead the franchise to question whether he can be their franchise player.

Though a trade would be very difficult to consummate at this time given Randolph's contract status. He signed a new six year deal over the summer, which makes him a "poison pill player". Basically, that means he's virtually untradable, unless a team with cap space or a large trade exception is involved.

Ford points to the Nets as a team with the financial flexibility to take on Zach's contract.

The Oregon Live is reporting that the Portland Trail Blazers have waived center Vladimir Stepania. The 7'footer has spent the entire season on the injured list.

Stepania averaged 2.6 points and three rebounds in forty-two games with the Blazers last season after being signed as a free agent.

Nick Van Exel informally announced on Wednesday that he will retire at season's end.

?This will be my last season, so I?ve got to try to make as many as I can,? the Portland Trail Blazers guard said after hitting 6 three-pointers, including two clutch ones late in his team?s 104-95 victory at the Bradley Center. ?I?m done. That?s a wrap.?

Van Exel finished the game with 26 points in just 30 minutes of play.

?You?ve got to take what he says,? Cheeks said. ?If he says it?s over, it?s over. But I?m just saying from my end, not his end, it isn?t.?

Behind Eddy Curry?s 18, the Chicago Bulls won their fourth straight game for the first time since 1998, defeating the Portland Trailblazers 92-87 before a crowd of 19,023.  The momentous occasion was witnessed by His Airness, Michael Jordon from his suite.

"This is night and day from even two months ago," Curry said. "We feel like we can compete with anybody if we go out with the right mind-set. We haven't in any way reached our peak."

Portland Trailblazer sharpshooter Richie Frahm can only watch from the sidelines as the Blazers struggle to shoot from the perimeter.  While Damon Stoudamire, Nick Van Exel and Derek Anderson struggle to connect, Frahm continues to nurse his injured toe.

"That's (perimeter shooting) supposed to be my strong point, and that's why they got me on this team," Frahm said. "With me being impatient and watching this team and seeing how I could help this team win, it's been tough for me."

The good news for the Bulls is that Antonio Davis does not have a broken jaw, however he is questionable for Monday?s game versus Portland.

Mr. Davis suffered a bruised jaw and a concussion in Saturday?s game versus Indiana.

The Bulls are shooting for their first game winning streak since March 20, 1998 and will miss Davis? tough defense, especially versus Portland?s Zach Randolph.

After being benched by Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, Damon Stoudamire decided to remain positive.

"I'm going to be bigger than this situation," Stoudamire said before Friday night's game in Atlanta. "I haven't always put myself in the best of situations since I have been here, but in every situation I have come out bigger and better.

"That's why I'm not really concerned about this. Yeah, I want to start. . . . But I'm not going to sit here and cry about it. I'm going to come out here and work. I ain't no quitter, never have been a quitter, and I ain't going to quit now."

Stoudamire made good on his promise Friday, playing as Nick Van Exel's backup. Stoudamire made all five of his shots from the field and had three assists and no turnovers in 18 minutes in the Blazers' 100-84 victory over the Hawks.

"This was one of Damon's best games, and I was glad he had a game like this at this time," Cheeks said. "It's always tough for a guy who is usually starting and then not starting, but for him to step in and do this and really contribute to our victory."

At the center of Portland's breakdown on Wednesday night was Zach Randolph, who is again concerned with his scoring numbers, just two games after his teammates pleaded for him to pass more. Randolph touched the ball 16 times Wednesday and passed once -- which resulted in a dunk by Joel Przybilla.

Randolph was unhappy about not getting the ball enough, and after he made a poor pass in the third quarter that resulted in a turnover, Van Exel yelled on Randolph during a timeout.

"Where's your head?" Van Exel said. "Damn, we go to you every time."

Randolph tuned out Van Exel's comments by turning his head the other way during the timeout. By the time Cheeks reached the huddle to diagram a play, Randolph still was despondent, causing Cheeks to stop what he was saying and shake his head.

"Zach! Do you want to play?" Cheeks asked. "Do you want to play?"

Randolph was put back in the game, but 18 seconds later, he was pulled and did not return, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds on 5 of 12 shooting.

"He was bad tonight," Cheeks said. "He's got to learn that this game is not just about scoring."

Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 28 points Tuesday night to help lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 100-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.  In doing so, Mr. Szczerbiak reached 5000 points for his career.

"I've been here six years and have made a home here, so I am really happy about accomplishing things like that," Szczerbiak said. "But, it's in the past now and I have to strive for new milestones.

The NBA has fined Trailblazers coach Maurice Cheeks $7,500 for failing to leave the basketball court in a timely fashion in a loss versus the Utah Jazz last week.  Coach Cheeks was displeased with a questionable foul call on Zach Randolph which allowed Mehmet Okur to shoot three free throws to clinch the game.