Blazers ink Roy to extension

August 6, 10:19 PMPortland Trail Blazers ExaminerAlex Harkaway

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Brandon Roy isn't going anywhere.

What seemed like a given at the beginning of the offseason finally happened yesterday, as Brandon Roy agreed to a five year extension for maximum money.  That could turn out to be over 80 million dollars, depending if Roy exercises his option on the fifth year of deal.  That would make it the second-richest contract in team history.  Hopefully, this deal will turn out better for Portland than the 6 year, 84 million dollar contract the Blazers handed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named five years ago.

With this extension done, Portland can now focus their efforts on securing Lamarcus Aldridge to a new deal.  Like Roy, he was a member of the 2006 draft class, meaning he can become a restricted free agent next offseason.  His value may be harder to judge than Roy's, as his ceiling as a power forward probably has not yet been reached.  However, if the Blazers fail to show Aldridge the money, the Dallas native (and former Texas Longhorn) may be temped to 'go home' to one of the NBA's three Texas-based franchises next summer.

But for now, the Blazers can breathe a sigh of relief, for their number one cornerstone is going to be around for the long haul.