The Oregonian has sources claiming Kevin Pritchard’s right-hand man, Tom Penn, was canned after duping the Blazers into giving him a raise: “The Trail Blazers fired vice president Tom Penn today in what goes down as a curious move. Lots of speculation about the reasons, and timing, and Penn told me that he’s ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the firing. Also, he said, “I suppose people are going to fill the void with whatever story is out there.’ … “Western conference executive tells me Vulcan headquarters was livid in late summer after they realized Penn played them in getting a raise and promotion out of the phantom Minnesota offer and, ‘there’s real resentment at Vulcan headquarters at that whole deal.’ This source isn’t buying the idea that something new happened on Tuesday that caused Penn’s firing, rather, that the Vulcans decided long ago they were going to blow up Penn the first time they had cause. What was that cause? ‘I’m not guessing on this, there’s no speculation here, the resentment over the Minnesota thing is real,’ source said. ‘The Vulcans can be vindictive %$&#’s” Keep an eye on the movements of Penn agent Warren Legarie (ex-Blazers GM John Nash’s agent and KP’s agent as well) who was at the center of that situation, and also, has been involved with the Clippers extensively.”