ChrisHaynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)

CSNNW.comhas learned the Portland Trail Blazers did request permission tospeak with Atlanta Hawks general manager Rick Sund and ownershipdenied their request, according to a source close to the situation.

ChrisBroussard of ESPN was first to report the Trail Blazers had interestin Sund and that Hawks ownership preferred to wait until their seasonconcluded before they would allow the two sides to talk.

Nowthat the Hawks' season is over, a source tells CSNNW.com that Sundto the Trail Blazers is not in his plans. Sund and Hawks'ownership are in talks about re-signing being that his current dealexpires June 30 and I've been told that retirement is strongpossibility.

Sund,60, just completed his fourth season with the Hawks in which his teamlost in the first round to the Boston Celtics in six games.