Festus Ezeli, Blazers Agree To Two-Year, $16M Deal

After landing Kevin Durant, it was clear that the Golden State Warriors weren’t retaining center Festus Ezeli. The Trail Blazers finally land a two-way center who will immediately make an impact in the starting rotation. At thistime it is unclear exactly how much cash the Magic will receive, but if nothing else, Orlando is at leastclearing some cap space for perhaps another deal or free agent signing. Chris Kaman and Brian Roberts are unrestricted free agents. And it was a risk I wasn’t willing to put our fan base in with the potential reality that we could very well go backwards.

Ezeli, 26, is coming off a season when he missed six weeks to have his left knee cleaned out.

However, Ezeli assured that he feels good. The two-year deal gives the Blazers great value and Ezeli a chance to prove himself after a disastrous second half and get paid in two years if he excels.

“It sucks that I had surgery, but the surgery was to fix”.

Every year prior to the start of the NBA’s free agent signing period, team prioritize which players they’re planning on pursuing based on a myriad of factors.

“While there is not an opening on the staff now, I know Juan will be a highly successful coach once given the opportunity”. He was also named 2014 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, a consensus first-team All-American, and the recipient of the Bob Cousy award in the same year.

“Just the way they play”. The trade will be official on July 7, once the National Basketball Association lifts in annual moratorium.