Portland Trail Blazers 6-9 power forward/center JJ Hickson has been receiving exploratory interest from a handful of teams looking to potentially swap for his services before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, a source close to the situation told CSNNW.com.

However, these teams have not made contact with Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey, just yet. The inquiring phone calls are going to Hickson’s agent Andy Miller, first, the source said.

Here’s why: Hickson is a Bird Rights player on a one-year, $4 million deal and he has the power to veto any trade that is proposed. If he approves a deal, he will lose his Bird Rights. It would have to be the right team and the right situation for Hickson to give up his rights.

“I’m blessed to be in this the position and to know that I’m kind of a hot commodity right now,” Hickson said. “But all I can do is control what I can control on the basketball court and keep getting better.”

via Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com