No timeline' on decision regarding Kevin Pritchard's future with the Trail Blazers

Owner Paul Allen holds the answer to whether Kevin Pritchard will return as general manager of the Trail Blazers next season, but nobody knows when the eccentric billionaire will make that determination.

“At this point, there is no timeline,’’ team president Larry Miller said on Friday. “It’s the typical process Paul goes through.’’

Pritchard, who is under contract through the 2010-2011 season, is thought to be under fire after Allen this season apparently became disenchanted with the Blazers basketball operations staff.

The unease was heightened in March, when vice president Tom Penn, Pritchard’s right-hand man, was fired, and agent Warren LeGarie - who represents both Penn and Pritchard - theorized that Pritchard would be next.

“Most of the speculation has been on the part of people not involved in the process,’’ Miller said. “The situation with Tom Penn was not about Kevin, it was about Tom Penn, but other people wanted to make it about Kevin.’’

Tod Leiweke, the CEO of Allen’s Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, declined to comment on Pritchard’s status after Thursday’s season-ending loss to Phoenix in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Leiweke, who promoted Pritchard to general manager in March of 2007, directed all Pritchard-related questions to Miller.

“I won’t comment on it, I will let Larry comment on it,’’ Leiweke said. “I love the Blazers, but day-to-day, this place is running well, and there is a clear order of how we report, and I’m happy about that. I’m not dodging your question.’’

Miller said he hopes some sort of resolution is reached before the June 24 draft, and he expects to have input on the decision.

“A decision at that level ultimately comes from Paul,’’ Miller said. “But from my perspective, we have had a very successful season. And I know that Kevin is under contract to be the GM, and that’s where we are. Kevin and I have worked really good together.’’

Pritchard declined to comment Friday. He is scheduled to meet with the media on Monday.

Since Penn’s firing in mid-March, and an awkward media availability with Pritchard and Miller in the following days, Pritchard has not taken his customary seat next to Allen at home games. However, he did negotiate the two-year contract extension for Marcus Camby last week.

Whether the Camby contract extension is a good sign for Pritchard’s future remains to be seen.

More at blog.oregonlive.com

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