Joel Przybilla Decision : Blazers or Pistons ?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by AJL2321, Jul 4, 2006.

  1. AJL2321

    AJL2321 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Is Przybilla ready to bolt?
    The Pistons make an offer for the free agent center, who is expected to
    decide today if he will re-sign with the Blazers

    Tuesday, July 04, 2006

    JASON QUICK

    With the Detroit Pistons in hot pursuit of his services, Trail Blazers free agent center Joel Przybilla today is expected to make a decision on where he will play next season, according to his agent, Bill Duffy.

    Duffy and Przybilla had a teleconference at about 9 p.m. Monday to talk about an offer made by the Pistons, who pursued Przybilla immediately after learning that center Ben Wallace had agreed in principle to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago Bulls. Neither Przybilla nor Duffy returned calls after their meeting.

    Blazers President Steve Patterson late Monday said the Blazers have proposed several offers to Przybilla, including an estimated five-year, $30 million contract -- the most the Blazers can offer. Patterson said they also have explored scenarios in which the Blazers would give a one-year deal, with the option of signing for a more lucrative, long-term deal next season.

    Because the Pistons and the Blazers were over the salary cap last season, they can offer Przybilla only the mid-level exception -- about $5.3 million a season. However, because Przybilla played the last two seasons with the Blazers, Portland can offer a 10.5 percent pay increase per season, while other teams can only include 8.5 percent increases.

    "We have put our best foot forward," Patterson said. "He is certainly getting a lot of interest from clubs, and I think it's going to be a tough decision for him."

    Patterson and Blazers coach Nate McMillan have said that re-signing Przybilla is the "top priority" of the summer, a claim that was strengthened after the team traded center Theo Ratliff to Boston last Wednesday, leaving Przybilla and newly acquired Raef LaFrentz as the only proven centers on the Blazers' roster.

    Patterson said if the Blazers lose Przybilla, the team already has started talking to other free agent centers, among them San Antonio's Nazr Mohammed, New Jersey's Jarron Collins and Miami's Alonzo Mourning.

    Przybilla, who averaged 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks last season, has been adamant about making a decision before July 12, the first day free agents can sign contracts.

    Jason Quick: 503-221-4372; jasonquick@news.oregonian.com
     
  2. Moo2K4

    Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

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    I have a hunch that he's going to bolt you guys for Detroit. While he may love it in Portland, Detroit is a much better situation. He'll be the starting center on a playoff contener and won't have to sit around and wait a few more years before Portland becomes one.
     
  3. P.A.P.

    P.A.P. JBB Fresh Start

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    Well Detroit has reportedly signed Nazr Mohammed, so that takes one of the possible destinations for him. I feel like the Spurs are gonna nab him for the full MLE, even though he could easily be making more.
     

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