Blazers sign C Joel Przybilla, release guard Armon Johnson
Some snippets from the Portland Trail Blazers early this morning:
“The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent center Joel Przybilla, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’ve been actively trying to get Joel to return to Portland for some time now and we’re thrilled with his decision to come back to the Trail Blazers family,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “Joel is a hard worker, a great teammate and a player that does the little things to help you win, all qualities that will help us down the stretch run.”
In seven seasons with the Trail Blazers from 2004-11, Przybilla averaged 4.8 points (57.8% FG), 7.3 rebounds, 1.54 blocks and 22.4 minutes in 395 games (273 starts). He ranks fifth on Portland’s all-time list with 607 career blocked shots and ranks 13th on the team’s all-time rebounding ledger with 2,872 boards.
Przybilla, 32, holds career averages of 4.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.48 blocks and 20.3 minutes in 553 games (377 starts) over 11 seasons with Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Charlotte.
Originally signed by Portland as a free agent in 2004, Przybilla was traded to Charlotte on Feb. 24, 2011, along with Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks and two conditional first round picks in exchange for Gerald Wallace.”
Because of the signing of Przybilla, the Blazers therefore had to make roster room and had some choices whether or not to keep or cut Greg Oden. The Blazers made the decision to keep Oden, while releasing point guard Armon Johnson:
“The Portland Trail Blazers have waived guard Armon Johnson, it was announced today by the team.
Johnson, 23, averaged 2.9 points, 0.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 7.2 minutes in 39 games over two seasons in Portland. He appeared in one game this season.
The Trail Blazers selected Johnson with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft.”
According to Blazersedge, Portland paid roughly $2 million in the 2010 Draft to climb from number 44 to the 34 spot to land Johnson who played basketball for Nevada.
photos courtesy of ambasketball.com and nba.com/blazers
Nicholas Filipas