Jan 23, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche (0) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Nets defeated the Timberwolves 91-83. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In an article footnote, Sam Amico reports that the Nets are trying to trade backup center Andray Blatche, just a few weeks after guaranteeing his contract for the rest of the season. He lists the Portland Trail Blazers as a potential destination for Blatche.

Brooklyn has placed forward Andray Blatche on the market, according to multiple sources. The Nets are looking for a draft pick in return. Portland, looking for ways to shore up its bench, might have an interest.

Blatche’s production has become more inconsistent for the Nets the past couple weeks, ever since Brooklyn’s home and home series with the Atlanta Hawks. Additionally, he got involved in a sexual assault case the night after his contract was guaranteed for the rest of this season. He has also looked somewhat overweight and out of shape recently.

However, Blatche may be able to get his focus back. He had a clutch performance against the Chicago Bulls on Friday and scored a big and-one bucket with a minute left in the game. He was ineffective against the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks in late January though.

Jan 08, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic (33) shoots a jump shot during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nets defeated the Sixers 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

While Avery Johnson was head coach, Mirza Teletovic struggled to get any playing time at all, buried at the end of the Brooklyn Nets’ bench. There were three main reasons why Teletovic couldn’t make his way off the bench: his three point shot was not falling, other players on the Nets’ bench such as Andray Blatche and Reggie Evans were performing very well, and Teletovic was getting exposed on defense and the boards whenever he was inserted into games. Now, Mirza Teletovic has found his shooting confidence and is contributing to the team.

Teletovic is averaging 9.3 points over the past three games, shooting 10-19 overall and 6-11 from three point territory. He put up 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists against the Sacramento Kings in 20 minutes of playing time and 8 points in 14 minutes against the 76ers. Teletovic has tried to prove that he can do more that shoot threes recently in Europe and in Brooklyn. He told reporters, “People just think that I’m a three-point shooter. I can do so many more things and I can help the team out in different ways.” MarShon Brooks agrees. Brooks told reporters, “Some days, Mirza has been the best player in practice. Believe me, Mirza can play.”

I saw Teletovic play this summer in a EuroBasket game between Team Bosnia and Team Georgia. In that game, Teletovic led his team on offense and scored a huge contested three in the final minute of the game. I then predicted that Teletovic would have one huge game sometime this season. As he continues to build confidence, he should get more chances to play and assume a bigger role on the team.