NBA Rumors: Festus Ezeli likely to have season-ending knee surgery
Festus Ezeli has yet to suit up for the Portland Trail Blazers this season, and ongoing issues with his left knee may end his season.
The signing of Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors without the ability to meet the market value of their own free agents. Center Festus Ezeli moved on after three seasons with Golden State, signing a two-year, $15 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers in July.
Left knee surgery has kept Ezeli off the floor this season, with a reported setback in his recovery over a month ago and a second opinion sought soon afterward. There has been no timetable for Ezeli’s Trail Blazers’ debut, and with Saturday’s news it’s unlikely to happen this season.
Shams Charania of The Vertical does suggest that surgery is not yet finalized for Ezeli, but it does seem inevitable. Just $1 million of the $7.7 million Ezeli is due to make in 2017-18 is guaranteed, which could make him a viable trade chip.
Assuming Ezeli undergoes surgery and misses the entire season, the Trail Blazers have until Jan. 15 to apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth $3.7 million. A roster spot would have to be created to use the exception, and Charania points to guard Tim Quarterman and his non-guaranteed contract as the possible roster cut for Portland.
Injuries are nothing new for Ezeli, as he only played 46 games in each of his last two seasons with the Warriors. The Trail Blazers surely knew the risk they were taking on though, particularly with how the second year of Ezeli’s deal was structured. But to not have the former first-round pick available at all during 2016-17 season will still go down as a big disappointment.
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