NBA: Trail Blazers bring back Joel Przybilla

The Portland Trail Blazers announced Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) that they have signed free agent center Joel Przybilla to add depth to their frontcourt. 

 

In order to create roster space, the team released 2010 draft pick Armon Johnson, the Trail Blazers said in a statement. Johnson appeared in just one game this season. 

 

Przybilla was the ninth player taken overall in the 2000 draft by the Houston Rockets, but he was immediately traded to Milwaukee Bucks. Signed by Portland in 2004, the big man was a productive reserve center for the Trail Blazers for seven seasons, before being traded last year to Charlotte as part of the deal that landed Gerald Wallace. 

 

After his contract expired during the summer, Przybilla contemplated retirement, despite interest from multiple teams, including the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and Portland. Ultimately though, he opted to return to the team he spent the majority of his NBA career with.

 

Acting general manager Chad Buchanan said in the release, "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.

 

"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 36 games last season, the 11-year veteran averaged 1.8 points and 4.35 rebounds. He is fifth on the Trail Blazers' all-time blocks list with 607, and 13th on their all-time rebounds list with 2,872. — RSJ, GMA News