Post by SurferGirl on Jul 10, 2016 14:17:36 GMT -8
July 10, 2016 -- The Portland Trail Blazers solidified their roster for the upcoming season with two moves today.
Forward/guard Allen Crabbe has signed an offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets on July 7. The Blazers had until today to match the four-year, $75 million offer, which they did. The contract includes a fifth-year player option and could be worth as much as $83 million when all is said and done. The team also signed center/forward Meyers Leonard to a four-year, $41 million contract extension. Both reports were confirmed by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
Crabbe enjoyed a breakout year last season, averaging career highs of 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists. The third-year player out of the University of California (Berkeley) shot 39.3 percent from the three-point line. Crabbe, the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2012-13, has professional career of averages of 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists, and has shot 38.5 percent beyond the arc over his career. Crabbe is widely regarded as one of the better Blazers defenders.
Leonard, the 11th overall pick by the Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft, will enter his fifth NBA season. Last year he averaged 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds before his season was cut short with a shoulder injury. A 7-1 center out of the University of Illinois, he has honed his three-point shooting over the past two seasons and, like Crabbe, boasts a 38.5 percent career three-point percentage. Leonard is often utilized as a "stretch four" for his three-point shooting. Leonard has averaged 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds over his career.
During this free agency period, the Blazers have signed guard Evan Turner from the Boston Celtics and center Festus Ezeli from the Golden St. Warriors. They also have traded for point guard Shabazz Napier from the Orlando Magic. They also obtained the draft rights to 6'9 forward Jake Layman on draft night via a trade with the Magic.
Guards Gerald Henderson and Brian Roberts have signed with other teams, while forward Cliff Alexander have been waived by the team. Center Chris Kaman is an unrestricted free agent, but is not expected to be signed.
Speculation is that with the signings of Crabbe and Leonard, the team is unlikely to re-sign forward Maurice Harkless, who is the team's remaining restricted free agent.
- JBH
Photo Credits: Allen Crabbe Courtesy CSNNW; Meyers Leonard courtesy RipCityProject.
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