Hickson 'meant no harm' with Valentine's tweets

Hickson has more than 17,000 Twitter followers, and he's been a popular player in trade rumors, too, as the deadline approaches Thursday.

The Blazers signed Hickson to a one-year deal worth a reported $4 million prior to this season. Because he has Bird rights, he has approval of any trade. He also gives up those rights if he agrees to any deal, which could impact the salary he could command in free agency.

"I'm just here controlling what I can control, playing the game of basketball. Off the court, things will take care of themselves like they always have in the past," he said.

Hickson is in his fifth season in the NBA, with previous stops in Cleveland and Sacramento.

Hickson has certainly raised his stock with his performance this season. He's averaging 12.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He has 28 double-doubles, matching his career high career high. And he's shot 50 percent or better from the floor for the last 17 games, a franchise record.

On Tuesday night he had 25 points and 16 rebounds in Portland's 102-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The Blazers (25-29) are mired in a six-game losing streak but still hoping for a playoff spot. Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers are 3½ games back of Houston for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.