Portland Says “See Ya” To Franchise

The Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday basically said to guard Steve Francis, it was nice that you could visit, but now it’s time for you to leave. The Blazers bought out the remaining two years on the contract of the player formerly known as the “Franchise”, terms of the buy out were not revealed. Francis is expected to clear waivers, and become an unrestricted free agent. Francis was acquired on draft night in a deal that sent Zach Randolph to the New York Knicks. It has been a tumultuous couple of years for Francis who just a few years ago was looked at as one of the elite players in the NBA. ?After finding initial success playing for the Houston Rockets, he was traded to Orlando in a deal that sent Tracy McGrady to Houston.?Injuries limited his effectiveness with the Magic, and then during the 2005-2006 season he found himself traded to the New York Knicks. Francis found himself as?some what of a pawn in a spitting match between New York General Manager Isiah Thomas, and former Knicks head coach Larry Brown. Thomas wanted Stephon Marbury?to run the show on the court, Brown who had disdain for Marbury favored Francis. Brown was gone at the end of the season, and Francis really never was a major contributor to the Knicks during the 2006-2007 campaign with Thomas now as head coach.

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