Moe Harkless re-signs with Portland Trail Blazers, 'excited to be back': On the same day the Portland Trail Blazers officially announced the contract extension for guard CJ McCollum, the club also formally announced it has re-signed restricted fee agent forward Maurice Harkless. "Moe is an impact player with a bright future and a high upside," Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey said in a release. -- The Oregonian

CJ McCollum signs extension with Trail Blazers, 'ecstatic' to remain in Portland: The Portland Trail Blazers and President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey made it official Wednesday, announcing they have signed guard CJ McCollum to a contract extension that will keep him in Rip City through the 2020-21 season. "CJ is a foundational player and an essential member of the core of this team," Olshey said in a release. -- The Oregonian

Blazers move into season of high expectations: In one summer, the Portland Trail Blazers have gone from the team with the lowest payroll in the NBA to a team with one of the highest. When the smoke clears this fall, it's expected Portland's payroll will rank at least in the top five of the league. And make no mistake, heavy expectations always accommpany high payrolls. Last year's plucky over-achievers are a thing of the past. Forty-four wins? Better do a lot better than that. Player development will still be a part of the team's overall plan but no longer the central focus. It's going to be all about winning games and advancing in the playoffs -- just like the big boys. No slack will be cut. -- CSNNW.com

Dear Paul Allen, here are two good ideas for you: Dear Paul, Hope this note finds you well and perhaps vacationing aboard the Octopus, working your way down the French Riviera. They say the Mediterranean is nice this time of year — or any time of year. We’ve not talked for a while. If you spoke at all to the media during the Blazers season, I missed it. I think we shook hands during one of your forays down the back halls of the Moda Center. Or maybe it was a fist bump. But we need to converse on a couple of important subjects to the sporting community of Portland. The city needs another franchise in the “Big Four” professional sports leagues. The NHL is the one that makes sense. -- The Portland Tribune