Joel Freeland will become another British player in the NBA next season after coming to an agreement with Portland Traiblazers, according to Tubasket.com.
The article reports that the Trailblazers, who drafted the GB star with the 30th pick in the 2006 draft, will sign Freeland to a three year deal as soon as an agreement with current club side Unicaja Malaga has been made on his €1.5million buyout.
Freeland has already informed Malaga of his intention to activate the NBA clause in his contract which expired yesterday, and will travel to Portland in the coming days for a physical. Team GB currently have a break in their schedule before playing in Sheffield against Portugal this coming weekend,
The 6’10″ forward was also receiving interest from CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahçe Ülker and Real Madrid. Read the full report at Tubasket.com
What do you think? Glad to see him make the leap?!
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
as long as this doesn’t affect whether and how he plays for GB this Summer then I think the time is right for him to make the leap
Don’t want to be too quick to judge, but not sure how Freeland will match up athletically to the bigs in the NBA.. He is athletic in Europe and uses that to his advantage – will be interested to see how he copes and adapts in the league.
He is one of the best forwards in Europe right now, and will move towards the bottom of the pile in the NBA. Good to see he is stepping out of his comfort zone, but this may not be the best move for him personally..
He won’t be anywhere near the bottom of the pile of forwards in the NBA. There are tons of guys, especially bigs, picking up NBA money who would struggle in the ACB and Euroleague. Not that I’m pencilling him in for the All-Star game, but he’ll be a very solid rotation player over there. At least.
Okay – bottom of the pile was a little strong. True – he will be solid. I just think he is a little better suited to the European game compared to the US game..
I wish him all the best; good that he has done the deal ahead of the Games and another step forward in terms of building the profile of UK hoops a little more both here and internationally
he’s a smart player uses his body well to get shots off, I don’t think athleticism will or would be a problem.. Wish him the best. Hyped to get another British guy in the league, next Ran richards… maybe some div 1 guys..
He’s smart and uses his body well to get shots off I don’t think athleticism will or would be a problem. You can find ways round that… maybe he’ll turn out at bit like luis scola??
Wish him the best, hyped to get another british guy in the nba!
Next ryan richards? Maybe some of the div 1 guys….
^^^ Next Ryan Richards? Are you creazy!!!!… Ryan Richards came after Joel and isnt evan as good… Joel has been top level PF/C in Europe for the past two season… and Joel plays for GB unlike Ryan who isnt even playing in the top league let alone Euroleague…
I meant next to play in an nba jersey not just be drafted
but yes everything you said is very true
i guess being seven foot, long, atheltic, with shooting touch just illusion’s me into thinking he’s next
hes got so much potential!
The San Antonio Spurs have listed Ryan Richards on their Las Vegas training team, which plays its first Game Sunday, July 15. He is said to be in the US now.
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