SEPTEMBER 13TH: The Blazers have formally announced the signing of Howell, via a press release.
SEPTEMBER 6TH: The Trail Blazers and rookie free agent Richard Howell have agreed to terms on a deal that will bring the N.C. State product to camp, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.com. Agent Joel Bell tells Charania that his client will sign a partially guaranteed contract with Portland.
Howell went undrafted out of N.C. State this past June, despite ranking as the 53rd-best prospect in the class, according to ESPN.com's Chad Ford. In his senior year with the Wolfpack, the power forward averaged 12.7 PPG and 10.9 RPG, while shooting 57% from the floor. Howell had reached an agreement to join France's BCM Gravelines, but the team announced this week that the two sides had mutually agreed to part ways, freeing up the 22-year-old for an NBA audition.
The Trail Blazers have 15 players on guaranteed contracts, making it a little unusual that the team would offer Howell a partial guarantee, since there may not be a regular-season roster spot available. Perhaps Portland wants to secure Howell's rights for the Idaho Stampede, and couldn't do so without offering a bit of guaranteed money.
In any case, Howell appears set to join Dee Bost and E.J. Singler as training camp invitees for the Blazers.