Cody Zeller is leaving the only NBA team he has ever known to become member of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers have signed Zeller to a one year contract. Former Raptors guard Norman Powell is also signing with Portland. Powell’s deal is worth a reported $90 million over five years.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news via Twitter on Monday.
Zeller was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets (then the Charlotte Bobcats) in 2013. He has been with the team since then, spending nine seasons in North Carolina. His 2021 season saw him take a step back from his career high points per game in 2020 (11.1). He played in 48 regular season games, averaging 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds.
The former Indiana University standout and McDonald’s All-American will join a Trail Blazers team that is reportedly trying to build a championship roster around Damian Lillard.
Powell was a member of the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. He has elevated himself from a role player on that finals team to a key player in the Raptors’ rotation. His five-year deal for $90 million ensures he will be able to take pressure off of Lillard for years to come.
Featured Image courtesy of Alex Menendez/Getty Images
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