MONDAY, 8:05am: The deal is official, the team announced (hat tip to Pick).
FRIDAY, 11:05pm: Freeland has signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow, and the pact contains no NBA out clause, Shams Charania of RealGM reports (Twitter link).
1:33pm: A source tells Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops that Freeland hasn’t agreed to a deal just yet, and will decide within the next two days (Twitter link).
THURSDAY, 8:51am: Joel Freeland has agreed to sign a guaranteed deal with Russia’s CSKA Moscow, reports David Pick of Eurobasket.com (Twitter link). Freeland had reportedly set a deadline of Friday to find an NBA deal before he committed to playing overseas, but it appears he’s making the jump a day early. The British big man’s contract with the Blazers ended last month, and Portland didn’t make a qualifying offer.
[RELATED: Blazers Finalize Deal With Ed Davis]
The Rafa Calvo client didn’t expect the Blazers to make that offer, but he expressed a preference to stay in the NBA. He’ll instead move to one of Europe’s most prominent clubs. Chema de Lucas of Gigantes del Basket first reported CSKA Moscow’s interest.
Freeland, 28, didn’t have much of a role during his three seasons with the Blazers, though he did make eight starts this past year while averaging 3.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game.
If you liked this post, you’re going to love what we’re dishing out on Twitter:
Why is the picture of Meyers Leonard when the article is about Joel Freeland?
Omg how did you get a job writing. Are you a racist? Do you think all white guys look the same cause you put a picture of meyers lenord instead of freeland. Chuck you should be looking for a new job
Yes he put a picture of Meyers up there instead of Joel, but get out of here with that racist crap.
It was a joke…. u must of bot got it. If your reporting on the blazers you should at least know there players. This writer obviously doesnt
Glad you think racism is funny.
Is meyers going with him
Hey guys, the photo we have attached for sharing purposes on Facebook and in our Trade Rumors app is of Freeland. Bleacher Report attached a photo of Leonard in their app when they linked to our story. If by chance anyone from B/R is reading this, please change the photo. Thank you!
Dumbass puts a pic of Meyers instead of Joel… if a white journalist made this mistake W 2 lesser known black teammates, called out for racism…
All white NBA players look alike?
In bleacher reports mind i guess
You know you put Myles Loenard as the photo for Joel Freeland! So you have NO CREDABILITY!