Petrovic Regrets Threat to Leave the Trail Blazers

Drazen Petrovic issued a statement through his attorney today apologizing for threatening to leave the Portland Trail Blazers if he isn’t traded.

He said he was withdrawing the comment, which he made in an interview last week with the (Portland) Oregonian. As a result, the Blazers said, they are rescinding the $500 fine that had been levied against the Yugoslav guard.

Petrovic said he has had a chance to discuss his role with Coach Rick Adelman.

“He told me he considered me a contributor to the team and that the fact that I was not playing in the regular rotation in the first few games was not a reflection of a permanent decision,” Petrovic said. “I believe we both have a better understanding of each other after our meeting.”

Petrovic, who lost his place in the regular rotation after the Blazers acquired Danny Ainge, said last week that he would return to his native Yugoslavia if he wasn’t traded by the end of the month.