Earlier today, a report surfaced suggesting that Victor Claver was on the verge of buying out his contract with Valencia in Spain and reaching an agreement with the Trail Blazers. Both Blazers GM Neil Olshey and Claver himself released statements this afternoon to say that nothing official had been consummated between the two sides, but that there is still mutual interest in Claver coming to Portland.
"Nothing new to report on our end," Olshey said of Claver in a statement, according to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian. "Both sides continue to have an interest in Victor coming over."
Though Olshey has said the Blazers must wait until July 1st to negotiate a deal with Claver, ESPN.com's John Hollinger tweets that Portland could theoretically sign the former first-rounder now. However, as Hollinger notes, it wouldn't make sense to sign Claver until the team has used its cap space, in order to maximize its spending flexibility.
For his part, Claver also addressed the situation on his Twitter account (translation via Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com): "I read many news today about my immediate future. It is true that my agents are listening Blazers proposals and there is interest from both, but there is nothing official yet and B Valencia will be the first to know my decision when I make it."
In addition to Claver, the Blazers are also hoping to add 2006 first-rounder Joel Freeland this offseason, as we heard yesterday.
—–