Blazers claim J.J. Hickson off of waivers from Sacramento
In a surprise announcement on Wednesday afternoon, the Portland Trail Blazers were being reported by Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated that the team has picked up free agent forward J.J. Hickson off of waivers. Hickson was let go by the Sacramento Kings earlier in the week.
In order for this transaction to take place, the Blazers are currently full at the 15 roster space and may go the route of letting go either center Mehmet Okur or Shawne Williams with a buyout. Both Okur and Williams were part of a trade with New Jersey that Portland sent Gerald Wallace at the trade deadline. Both players are out of the season with injuries and will probably end up not suiting up in a Blazers uniform.
Hickson, a 23-year-old, 6 ft 9, 242 lb forward was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. A product out of North Carolina State, Hickson was traded to the Kings in 2011 and is currently averaging 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in his career off the bench.
UPDATE: The Blazers will waive center Mehmet Okur to make room for Hickson
photo courtesy of vlsportysexycool.com
Nicholas Filipas