PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sensing that center Arvydas Sabonis has little intention of returning to the team, the Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent Chris Dudley to a one-year contract Friday.

Dudley, a 6-foot-11 rebounder who's a career 46-percent free-throw shooter, doesn't have nearly the skills of the 7-foot-3 Sabonis, but the Trail Blazers are growing impatient waiting for Sabonis to make up his mind.

Sabonis, who has been living with his family in his native Lithuania most of the summer, has not let on what his plans are, although training camp is less than two weeks away. His agent, Herb Rudoy, has repeatedly said that Sabonis would contact him when he was ready to make an announcement.

"The Blazers will continue to keep the door open for Sabonis to return, but all indications from his representatives are that he does not want to play this year," the Blazers said in a statement. "It is sounding more and more like he will not return, but nothing has been announced formally."

A phone message left at Rudoy's office was not immediately returned.

Sabonis, who turns 37 in December, made more than $11 million last year, and the Blazers reportedly were in talks with Rudoy about signing Sabonis to a one-year deal at a smaller salary.

Sabonis originally was drafted by Portland in 1986 with the 24th pick, but he stayed in Europe and became one of basketball's greatest international players.

He helped the Soviet Union win the Olympic gold medal in 1988, after stunning the United States in the semifinals. He led the new Lithuanian team to bronze medals in 1992 and 1996.

Sabonis joined the Blazers in 1995 and quickly became one of the NBA's best offensive centers. His best season came in 1997-98, when he averaged 16 points and just under 10 rebounds per game.

But injuries and his inability to slow down the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal limited his effectiveness. Last season, Sabonis averaged a career-low 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 61 games.

The lowest moment of the season, for him and the Blazers, came in a late-season loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. After accidentally smacking teammate Rasheed Wallace in the face, Wallace cursed Sabonis and threw a towel into his face during a timeout.

Wallace was suspended for the final regular-season game, but the internal conflict on the team was evident. Portland was swept by the Lakers 3-0 in the playoffs, ending a slump in which the team dropped 17 of its final 25 games.

In May, Sabonis returned to Kaunas, Lithuania, and criticized the organization for not firing coach Mike Dunleavy sooner. Of his teammates, Sabonis said, "There aren't players on the Portland team, just names earning millions."

Earlier this month, Sabonis broke two toes on his right foot while vacationing in Lithuania.

Dudley, a 14-year veteran who spent four seasons with the Blazers from 1993-97, played for Phoenix last season. He averaged 1.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 53 games. He started 33 games.

Dudley was dealt to New Jersey in July as part of a trade that sent Jason Kidd from the Suns to the Nets for Stephon Marbury. But the Nets didn't re-sign Dudley.

Terms for Dudley's one-year deal were not announced.

Dudley, 36, has averaged 4.1 points and 6.3 rebounds with five NBA teams. He has roots in the Portland community. Dudley, a diabetic, runs a summer camp for diabetic children in the woods west of Portland.