With the signing of Mo Williams now official, Portland general manager Neil Olshey introduced his newest addition to Blazers fans and media earlier today. Ben Golliver of Blazers Edge provides a transcript here and also offered his own thoughts on what Olshey had to say:
- Olshey indicated that LaMarcus Aldridge was excited by the Blazers signing of Williams, writes Golliver, adding that Aldridge expressed similar sentiments earlier this offseason when Portland added Robin Lopez.
- When asked about the Aldridge trade rumors that surfaced this summer, Olshey lectured the media about spreading false reports in an attempt to be the first to break what would be big news. Olshey assured reporters that Aldridge never asked to be traded and is happy in Portland.
- While Olshey conceded that the Blazers didn't do everything they could to be competitive last year, he also insisted that it was by design. The result, Olshey said, has been the additions of Lopez, Thomas Robinson and now Williams, according to Golliver.
- Williams will be the Blazers' sixth man, writes Mike Tokito of the Oregonian, adding that Olshey was Williams' pre-draft 'coach' a decade ago. Olshey also pushed to bring Williams to the Clippers two seasons ago, where he was able to fit into a guard rotation that contained several guys capable of running the point, much like the situation in Portland.
- Tokito also tweeted that Olshey implied the Williams signing would wrap up Portland's offseason.