Terry Stotts confirmed that J.J. Hickson will start at center vs. the Lakers on opening night.

No surprise here, since Hickson was favored throughout training camp and is competing against two rookies, Meyers Leonard and Joel Freeland. "Meyers and Joel are playing well," said Stotts, "but I think J.J. has earned the starting spot." In 19 starts last season, Hickson averaged 13.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks in 32 minutes per game.

J.J. Hickson came to life against the Jazz on Monday, scoring 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 24 minutes.

It's not going to be this easy when the games count, but Hickson has shown more than enough to justify his late round ADP. As for Meyers Leonard (eight points, four rebounds, six fouls, 21 minutes), he is much too raw to project him cutting into Hickson's workload while the Blazers are in playoff contention.

J.J. Hickson (ribs) returned to action on Monday, scoring 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes.

Hickson took the ball strong to the rack and the rib injury doesn't appear to be serious. He's still a quality center to take in the later rounds of standard sized drafts, especially with rookie Meyers Leonard struggling in most facets of the game.

J.J. Hickson didn't sound too sure if he'll play through a rib injury on Monday, but coach Terry Stotts said that Hickson is a go.

Whether he plays or not, this is a good sign that the injury isn't too serious, and it sounds like he's a game-time decision.

J.J. Hickson (ribs) is questionable for Monday's game.

Hickson said previously that he intended to play and would wear a 'flak jacket' to protect himself, but he's officially questionable for the preseason affair. Ronnie Price (ankle) is out for Monday's game.

J.J. Hickson (ribs) intends to play vs. the Kings on Monday.

Hickson will wear a protective 'flak jacket' to prevent any more damage to his sore ribs. As the Blazers' starting center, with only rookie Meyers Leonard as competition, there's a lot to like about Hickson's outlook this year.

J.J. Hickson will miss Friday's preseason game with bruised ribs and rookie Meyers Leonard will start in his place.

The injury doesn't sound serious and Hickson, who is having a great preseason and is their No. 1 center, is day-to-day.

J.J. Hickson did not practice on Thursday because of bruised left ribs, and he will be a game-time decision vs. the Suns on Friday.

Hickson will begin the season as the Blazers' starting center, and shouldn't be overlooked as a value pick late in fantasy drafts. Meyers Leonard will get plenty of burn if Hickson isn't ready to play Phoenix.

J.J. Hickson says he's in much better shape physically than he was when he joined the Blazers last season after being waived by the Kings.

Hickson was very solid in Portland last year and is having a great training camp. He'll be the opening night starter at center and the fact his conditioning is right is the icing on the cake. He should make for a quality starting fantasy center that won't cost you too much on draft night.

J.J. Hickson is slated to be the opening-night starter at center for the Blazers this season.

Rookie Meyers Leonard was set to battle for the job, but Hickson is having a great camp and coach Terry Stotts likes him as the incumbent. Hickson was a very solid fantasy center down the stretch last season and should be an excellent value pick in fantasy leagues this season.

Wesley Matthews said that J.J. Hickson is "playing at another level right now."

"He's playing hard and he's tough," Matthews said. "I can tell his skills have really developed." Last week coach Terry Stotts said Hickson is the favorite for the starting center job, but will compete with rookie Meyers Leonard. Hickson was fantastic down the stretch last year and has some sleeper appeal in fantasy leagues.

J.J. Hickson is entering training camp as the starting center.

This is notable because it means that Meyers Leonard will be in a reserve role for the time being. In 19 games with the Blazers last season, Hickson averaged 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks on 54.3 percent shooting. He only shot 64.5 percent from the foul line, but that should be expected as he is a career 66.9 percent shooter from the charity stripe. Hickson looks like a nice value pick this season if he holds onto the starting gig.

The Blazers officially re-signed F/C J.J. Hickson on Friday.

Although the team press release says the terms are not disclosed, it is known to be a one-year, $4 million deal. Hickson averaged 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19 games for the Blazers last season and if he holds off rookie Meyers Leonard for most of the minutes at C in Rip City, he should be a very popular sleeper pick.

Free agent big man J.J. Hickson has agreed to a one-year contract with Portland, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

Hickson played for the Blazers last season and put up solid fantasy numbers for the time he was there. If he starts at center for them next season, he'll be a popular sleeper pick.

The Warriors are looking to spend their mid-level exception according to beat writer Marcus Thompson, and are seriously in play for free agent J.J. Hickson and several "notable guards."

Thompson added that Jerryd Bayless, Ramon Sessions, O.J. Mayo and Courtney Lee are on the list, with a focus on "combo guards who can play some PG." We've heard the Warriors say that they're adding another player, but it's difficult to see them adding the guards on this list whether the issue is money, playing time, or getting tied up in a franchise whose short-to-medium term outlook is iffy at best.

It's "hard to envision" unrestricted free agent J.J. Hickson signing with any team but the Warriors, a source tells Fox Sports Ohio.

The Warriors wanted Hickson before he was claimed by the Blazers off waivers midseason, and after Golden State was reported to be in discussions with Hickson on Sunday, it appears the Warriors are making him their primary target.

The Warriors are in early discussions with unrestricted free agent J.J. Hickson, along with six other teams according to beat writer Marcus Thompson.

Thompson writes that the Warriors were interested in Hickson when he was waived by the Kings, but that the Blazers claimed him off waivers and beat them to the punch. The Blazers reportedly didn't want the cap hold while they pursue Roy Hibbert and Nicolas Batum. Hickson averaged 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in 19 games for the Blazers last season. Thompson also writes that the Warriors have expressed interest in Jordan Hill and Kwame Brown.

The Blazers will not extend a qualifying offer to restricted free agent J.J. Hickson, but are open to negotiating with him when free agency opens on July 1.

There has been talk that the decision to draft Meyers Leonard was a trigger to send Hickson packing, and the decision is curious because the Blazers aren't exactly deep down low and Hickson did fairly well for them at the end of last year. The team has its hands full with the Nicolas Batum situation, but it seems as if there's more at play here than just freeing up cap space.

GM Chad Buchanan said he hasn't made a final decision on whether to tender restricted free agent J.J. Hickson.

The Blazers have until June 30 to extend a $4.4 million qualifying offer to Hickson. They could also offer him the mid-level exception. "We'll probably ride it out to the very end and see how the draft goes," Buchanan said. Hickson was impressive after latching on late with the Blazers, averaging 15.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19 games.

J.J. Hickson scored 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting with 10 rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in Monday's blowout loss to the Spurs.

Hickson is locked into starter's minutes going forward and Joel Przybilla's absence is only helping matters. Hasheem Thabeet started and scored four points with two rebounds and two blocks, and is only worth a look as a desperation play for swats. Craig Smith was dusted off and scored six points with two boards, but betting on him for Thursday's finale doesn't make sense no matter how beat up the Blazers are.