"The Trail Blazers and representatives for Nicolas Batum have scheduled a Friday meeting to begin negotiations aimed at keeping the small forward in Portland beyond this season.

Bouna Ndiaye, Batum's agent, said he and the Blazers plan to get together in San Antonio, where the Blazers play the first of a six-game trip through Texas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Toronto and Detroit.

Ndiaye, who is in Portland and will attend tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, said the sides have talked briefly to "get on the same page," but have not yet discussed contract specifics, including an "exchange of numbers."

"Basically, we're looking to see how Nic is thought of with the team and how he fits into the future," Ndiaye said. "