It was 8:13 in the morning on April 19 when Brandon Roy heard his phone ping, notifying him of a text message. At the time, the former Portland Trail Blazers star was immersed in his daily routine in Seattle — dropping his kids off at school before heading to the gym for a workout. Little did he know, that sound and its attached message would change his day and, perhaps, the course of his future. 

The text was from Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin, and, while it was not unusual for Roy to hear from Cronin, this text was different than any of the others the two had exchanged periodically throughout the past year. This time, instead of Cronin extending goodwill or an invitation to visit a Blazers game, he had a request: Would Roy be interested in representing the Trail Blazers at the May 16 NBA Draft Lottery? 

It was a request steeped in nuance. On the surface, having Roy at the draft lottery would tempt fate. In 2007, fresh off his Rookie of the Year season, Roy represented the Blazers when the franchise won the draft lottery despite entering with a 5.3 percent chance. This year, the Blazers have a 10 1/2 percent chance of winning the top pick. But, on a deeper level, Cronin’s request was another effort by the franchise for Roy to return to Portland as more than just a memory.

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Ever since Roy’s sudden departure from the Trail Blazers in 2011 at age 26 because of degenerative knee issues, and his subsequent retirement in 2013 after a brief comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Roy had intentionally distanced himself from the Blazers. There were no hard feelings, no issues, no disagreements. There was just too much pain, too much frustration, too many “why me” moments involved in processing his forced retirement. As a result, in the decade since he left Portland, he had shown his face at a Blazers event once — slipping into a courtside seat in March of 2012 to watch Portland play Milwaukee, a gesture to celebrate the birthday of then-Blazers’ guard Jamal Crawford. 

“There’s never been a moment when I felt I couldn’t reach out to the Blazers and be a part of the organization. Never,’’ Roy told The Athletic. “I just wanted to stay away from basketball, or from even hearing my name. It was just hard not being able to play … and I was only 28, 29 years old. So, I just stayed away.’’

As Roy read Cronin’s text message that April day, he noticed something different than years past. He didn’t recoil at the notion of being involved. In fact, he was drawn to it, a change he attributes to time. He’s 38 now, with a collection of life experiences of a 90-year-old: He’s coached four high school state championship teams, he’s been shot, divorced, is the father of four kids — three with his ex-wife and one with his fiancée, and he’s finally comfortable with where he has been, and where he is headed. And now, more than ever, he can see that direction pointing back to Portland, a feeling that surprised him as he read Cronin’s text about the draft lottery that April morning.

“I’m reading it, and the first thing that came to mind was ‘Yeah. Sure, I would do that,’’’ Roy said. “But I was like, don’t say yes right away, let’s see if everything works out and I can get some time to go.’’

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He went to the gym and did his treadmill routine — running some, walking some — all the while thinking about Cronin’s request. 

“I just kept thinking about getting the No. 1 pick the last time,’’ Roy said. “And how it was a really cool experience. So I texted Joe and said I would love to call you and get some of the details and he was like, ‘Great. I’m just glad you are even considering it.’’’

When they connected, Roy gave Cronin his answer: “I would love to be a part of it.’’

For Roy, his answer to Cronin meant something more than just making an appearance on behalf of the Blazers. It is, in a sense, his emergence from the shadows, an awakening from a past he was once so eager to forget. 

“Some of it for me is I’m getting older,’’ Roy said. “I feel like being away was good for me, and it gave me time to refocus and reset my life. So, this is me just trying to keep up the relationship — I think not only with Joe, but the entire Blazers organization. This is kind of the first step at it. We’ve talked about me coming back down to some games next year, and I just kind of want to normalize it a little more with me being back around the NBA. I’ve even talked with UW (University of Washington, his alma mater) and the coaches there to just try to normalize being back around it again. I’m not saying the NBA or college even is anything I want to be a part of — right now — but it’s something I’m starting to think about more seriously.’’

Roy said Cronin has made it clear that the Blazers would be open to discussing a role in the organization at any time, but Roy said he told Cronin those conversations will have to wait at least two years away. His oldest son, Brandon Jr., will be a junior at Garfield High School, where Roy serves as head coach and has won three state titles.

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“Down the road, I could see myself (joining the Blazers) and Joe and I have had those conversations,’’ Roy said. “He’s always saying ‘You know you are welcome to be a part here … we can talk about anything.’ He’s been great. But I told him, at this point, Brandon Jr. will be a junior and it’s a big thing for me and him that I coach him when it’s the right time. And I feel like Brandon Jr. has reached the maturity level of understanding that if I get on him in the morning about taking the trash out, that’s dad. But in practice, it’s coach. I think he understands that balance now, and before, I don’t think he did. If I said something to him in practice, he felt it was just dad being mean. So long story short, I’ve expressed that to Joe, and told him anything beyond that I’m definitely open to building a relationship and seeing what works out.’’

Roy said he hasn’t thought too deep about what role he would want with an NBA team. Part of him is interested in coaching — he has coached four years of high school in Washington, winning the 2016-17 state title with Nathan Hale High School, and winning titles with Garfield in 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23. In the process, he has coach four current NBA players: Michael Porter Jr., Tari Eason, Jontay Porter and MarJon Beauchamp.

He said he is also interested in either a front office, ambassador or mentoring role.

“I do have confidence in myself in coaching, and I feel there is a lot I can offer,” Roy said. “But sometimes, I think about personnel, and what first, what works … and I think I’m good with chemistry and fit and understanding guys, so front office, scouting … or do something like Hersey Hawkins did when he was with the Blazers, mentoring and talking to guys. I’ve lived and experienced a lot of things, and I think I can help and give back to the younger players.’’

For now, his attention is more on Tuesday’s lottery. He said he can’t help but think back to 2007, when he and his brother Edward flew back and experienced the long shot odds come thorough. Roy said he went back and rewatched the lottery, and the broadcast reminded him of a moment.

“When they got to our projected pick (seventh) and it wasn’t us, I remember thinking ‘I can’t believe this,’’’ Roy said. “So, I went back and rewatched it, and I remember looking at my brother in the audience and I had this big ol’ smile, and he was smiling back … I just remember the feeling of my smile. Because, at the time, I felt we had a really good, young team, and whoever we were going to add between Greg (Oden) and Kevin Durant was going to give us a chance to compete for a championship. I had watched both of them in college and even high school, and there was no doubt they were going top be superstars in the NBA. It was no secret they were going to be that good.’’

Portland ended up selected Oden, who missed his first season with a knee injury, and would only play two seasons and a total of 82 games for Portland because of injuries. 

On Tuesday, Roy hopes he can re-create his magic and reward Portland with another No. 1 pick, and likely the right to draft French big man Victor Wembanyama. Roy didn’t bring a good luck charm in 2007, and he won’t this time. 

“I’ll do my same regimen that I did as a player and that I did the last time: nap, shower and then go … so I will keep the same mentality,’’ Roy said. “It’s going to be cool to be back on the scene of things, and I’m wishing for the best and that the Blazers can get the top pick.’’

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Roy said he has accepted the Blazers’ offer to have dinner in Chicago immediately after the lottery. He could name only four employees who are still with Portland during his time: Cronin, director of player health Geoff Clark, vice president of team relations Cheri Hanson and player and family services manager Beth Hancock. Depending on how the ping-pong balls play out, maybe the dinner will be a celebration. If nothing else, it will be the beginning of a new chapter for Roy and the Blazers.

“It’s going to be like a reunion, or a time to catch up and meet new folks and start building relationships with them,’’ Roy said. 

 (Top Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)