Omar Minaya has been on the other side of these transactions countless times. He has pulled the strings to decide when prospects debut, when trades are made, when free agents are signed.

The former GM of the Mets and current senior adviser with the Yankees found himself on the opposite side of the metaphorical table Tuesday.

He and his wife, Rachel, sat down to lunch at a literal table in Memphis, where they awaited word from their son.

Justin, the former University of South Carolina, Providence and Northern Valley (at Old Tappan, N.J.) basketball standout, was in talks with several NBA teams, but the Portland Trail Blazers appeared on the verge of signing the 24-year-old. The Minayas left for Tennessee this week in case the Blazers brought in Minaya on Tuesday for a road game against the Grizzlies.