The Trail Blazers are exploring a trade with Minnesota that would involve Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Wally Szczerbiak.

The Timberwolves would have to include another player for the trade to meet NBA requirements for matching salaries.

...Portland could ask for center Michael Olowokandi, who will make $5.4 million this season and would fill the Blazers' need for a backup frontline player. But knee problems have plagued the 7-foot, 269-pound Olowokandi for the past two seasons. He played 43 games last season, averaging 6.5 points and 5.7 rebounds.

Minnesota could offer Ervin Johnson, a 6-11, 255-pound center who can play power forward. Johnson is appealing because he will earn $4.9 million this season and is in the final year of his contract.