One more top free-agent center 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."
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."
