PORTLAND, Ore. - The Trail Blazers promoted Kevin Pritchard to their vacant general manager job Thursday.

The 39-year-old had served as the assistant general manager since before the season and has been credited for masterminding the draft day deals that landed rookies Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez.

"I've mentioned before how excited I was after that draft," Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen said. "And I think this year has borne out just how successful that draft was. It was a signature day."

Pritchard replaces Steve Patterson, who held the titles of president and general manager before resigning March 1 when Allen decided not to renew his contract.

"We're going to bring a championship team back to Portland," the former University of Kansas guard said. "I bleed this team. I have for the past 2 1/2 years."

ETC.: Nets guard Eddie House will be sidelined indefinitely with a mild concussion and a partial tear of the left hip muscle. . . . Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace, who served his second mandatory one-game suspension this week after picking up his 18th technical foul, got called for his 19th of the season during Thursday's game against the Bulls. If Wallace gets another technical, he will be suspended for one game. . . . The Cavaliers and Magic will play two exhibition games in China in October. The teams will play Oct. 17 at Shanghai's Qizhong Forest Sport City Arena and Oct. 20 in Macau.