Tim Frazier, last season’s D-League MVP and Rookie of the Year, was in the locker room at the Portland Expo on Thursday after the Maine Red Claws beat Delaware, 138-131.

Once he passes a physical, Frazier is expected to sign with the Red Claws and suit up for their weekend series against Sioux Falls.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Brett Brown, right, talks with Tim Frazier during an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers last February. The Associated Press

Tim Frazier is back with the Red Claws. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Last winter Frazier led the Claws to a 35-15 record, dishing out 9.5 assists per game. Four times he reached double figures in three statistical categories: assists, points and rebounds.

In late March, the Portland Trail Blazers signed Frazier to an NBA contract and he remained with them until last week. He was waived to clear roster space shortly before the trading deadline when Portland traded with Cleveland for a first-round draft pick and Anderson Varejao, who was subsequently waived.

Maine retained Frazier’s D-League rights as a returning player. He declined to comment for the record Thursday until after he signs a contract.

“He was the best player in the league last year, so obviously we’re happy to get him back,” said Red Claws Coach Scott Morrison said. “The challenge will be to make sure we don’t disrupt any chemistry and try to get him caught up to what we’re doing, who we have on the roster, things like that.”

Frazier joined the other Portland at the tail end of the D-League season last spring, causing him to miss Maine’s two-and-out playoff run.

“I hope he’s not here that long,” Morrison said. “I think he deserves to be in the NBA. There’s some guys in the NBA that he’s better than, but he’s going to have to prove it again. That’s the way it works.”

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