Trail Blazers president Larry Miller says the team signed Brandon Roy to a five-year, $82 million contract last summer knowing that he was missing a meniscus in both knees.

Roy, 26, will miss his third consecutive game on Friday night because of left knee pain. The knee has been drained at least twice already this season.

"When he was drafted, we knew there were problems with his knees," Miller said.

"When we talked about his extension last summer, it did come into play and into the discussions. But at the end of the day, he was the face of turning this organization and franchise around ... it just made all the sense in the world to give him the deal we gave him. There was some consideration given to (his knees) ? but as we looked at it and talked ? we decided he has earned this. He has earned this max contract regardless of what problems might come along."