The best homegrown player in Colorado Rapids history is close to being dealt to a conference rival. The club is nearing a deal to send 24-year-old midfielder Cole Bassett to the Portland Timbers for a $2.65 million fee with an additional $1.05 million in conditional add-ons, a source confirmed to The Denver Post on Tuesday evening. The Rapids will retain a percentage of a transfer if Portland deals him in the future. One of the splashes the club made earlier this month was a $3 million transfer for pure ball-winning defensive midfielder Hamzat Ojediran. Bassett won’t wait long for his return to Colorado — the Rapids’ home opener is against the Timbers on Feb. 28.