Pryzbilla stays with Blazers.....

[RDCLARKJR]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2509340

One more top free-agent is off the market: Joel Przybilla has decided to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Joel Przybilla

Center

Portland Trail Blazers

Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

56 6.1 7.0 0.8 .548 .532

Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, told ESPN.com that the 26-year-old has verbally agreed to sign a five-year deal with the Blazers believed to be worth more than $30 million.

Przybilla also had strong interest in Chicago, but the Bulls landed the No. 1 center available when they agreed to a four-year deal Monday with Detroit's Ben Wallace worth an estimated $60 million.

The Pistons, in turn, reached a verbal agreement Tuesday with San Antonio free-agent center Nazr Mohammed, but Przybilla -- who drew feelers from the Spurs and a handful of other clubs -- chose to stay where he is.

"Joel said all along that loyalty is important to him," Duffy said. "It means a lot to him that Portland gave him a chance two years ago when no one else did. His relationship with the Blazers and [general manager] Kevin Pritchard were very important factors."

That was certainly unexpected.......

[Eddielives]

Just like he said, he wanted to stay in Portland.

[er9dverk]

got to admire the guy. how much loyalty is there these days, either from a player or a team?

[Final_quest]

There goes all the free agent big men.

[Peoriabird]

Quote:

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There goes all the free agent big men.

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That is why you draft big!

[Buzzard]

Quote:

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Just like he said, he wanted to stay in Portland.

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Portland vs the Pistons? Most players would take a one year deal with the Pistons over any deal not near the max with the Trailblazers.

It looks like Portland has convinced one player they have cleaned up their act. Now lets see them convince Zach Randolph and Darius Miles to clean up theirs...

[swolehawk2]

We could prolly get Elson from Denver to serve as a quality backup ....he plays D and rebounds fairly well.

Then add another big in an Al trade. We can waive Edwards if need be.

[vdunkndunk]

I'm convinced we're going to get a good center by trading Al.

[RDCLARKJR]

Absolutely.....most players would've had they track shoes on trying to get away from that place......

Now, relating to the Hawks, with Pryz and Mohammed coming off the FA list and the list as far as quality big men dwindiling, are we in the drivers seat as far as Al Harrington and a S&T goes?

[er9dverk]

we are definitely in the drivers seat, in that we got the goods in a sellers market. the question is, are there any buyers that will part with anything we would be interested in?