Blazers Sign Jeff Pendergraph

by Ben. on Sep 8, 2009 12:15 PM PDT in News Comment 46 comments

Here's the Press Release from the team.

TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN JEFF PENDERGRAPH

Rookie to undergo hip surgery Wednesday

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers signed rookie forward Jeff Pendergraph, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Also announced today, Pendergraph will undergo surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to correct a left hip impingement.

"It feels great to officially be a part of the Trail Blazers organization," said Pendergraph. "I'm here to help this team and contribute in any way that I can. While this is a challenging week with my surgery, it doesn't change the fact that I've accomplished a dream and can proudly wear the Blazers logo. I will do all that I can to recover and get back on the floor."

"We're really excited to add Jeff to our team," said Pritchard. "It's a bittersweet day, but Jeff has worked his tail off this summer and we know he's going to put every bit as much into his rehab as he has preparing for the NBA."

Dr. Marc Philippon of Vail, Colo., will perform the surgery. A timetable for Pendergraph's return will be determined upon completion of the procedure.

The Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to Pendergraph from Sacramento in a draft day trade on June 25 in exchange for Sergio Rodriguez, the draft rights to Jon Brockman and cash considerations.

Pendergraph, 22, played four seasons at Arizona State, where he finished with career averages of 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.04 blocked shots and a 58.0 percent shooting percentage. As a senior, Pendergraph averaged 14.5 points and was named to the Pac-10's First Team. His 66.0 percent field goal mark led the nation.

He started all five games for the Trail Blazers in the 2009 NBA Summer League, averaging 10.8 points (55.3% FG), 7.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.2 blocked shots.

Pendergraph becomes the 13th player on the Trail Blazers' current roster. He will wear jersey number 31.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Nice

I like the idea of a rookie being the guy who is injured all year. First Greg then Martell, now it’s Pendergraph’s turn to fill that role for the team.

by tominhawaii on Sep 8, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Did you know that this team's win total increased each of the last 3 times....

….that a player was injured all season?

Way to take one for the team, Jeff!

Yes! Yes! In the face!

by LeafHawk on Sep 8, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Why do you think we gave him a contract?

We didn’t want to waste his effort.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 8, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but Patty Mills took one for the team first

and they didn’t sign him. boo hoo hoo.

Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
-W.H. Auden

by Love on Sep 8, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, this article just reminded me that we passed up taking John Brockman.

Brockman could have been a solid hustle back up PF for us, with high BBIQ. He basically is a less athletic Paul Milsap, and like Milsap uses his body as if he were bigger than he actually is. That sounds pretty good right now, when faced with an injured project guy like Jeff, and adding some less than desirable vets. Let’s just hope Jeff heals quick and pans out. He has the potential, but it’s a little tough to have watched this, when pre-draft, I was talking about Brockman as a perfect 2nd round pick for Portland. Then I was thinking he would be a great bench player, who would acquit himself well if he ever had to play, but now I’m thinking he would be our best back-up PF.

by wingzeta on Sep 8, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shoots

Looks like I stole this idea from Mortimer.

link

by tominhawaii on Sep 9, 2009 5:57 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't know if he'll be what the Blazers need

but I’m happy they gave him a contract. He’s a very likable guy.

"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."

by Arby on Sep 8, 2009 12:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to go Jeff!

I am very glad for JP since I have felt all along that he was a good draft pick for the PTB. I love his toughness and attitude. I love his intelligence. I also think he is a better athlete than he is given credit for being.

I hope the surgery goes well and he can get back on the court sooner than anyone expects. Maybe next week!????

I am so glad Jeff Pendergraph is going to be on our side when the rumble starts! I heard he already elbowed Luke during a summer workout, and that is when Luke went after the hip. Luke said he was sorry, but also said that when he is teaching low post moves, he means business. Oden is up next! Yikes!

There is more to an athlete than how fast they can run, they also better be able to see what they are doing and know why they are doing it.

by KINGofMACct on Sep 8, 2009 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Championship!

by GMan83201 on Sep 8, 2009 12:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope that the deal is a two-year, minimum-level contract, with the second season being a team option.

At the same time, though, the thought of an injured, undersized third-string center in Jeff Pendergraph still casts doubts over Kevin Pritchard’s ability to understand that roster balance at the pivot is necessary for a multitude of reasons.

Rather than focus his attention on a washed-up pick-and-pop scorer in Juwan Howard and an athletic, albeit unskilled bust in Stromile Swift — who’s got a BBIQ so low that Travis Outlaw looks like Dr. James Naismith in comparison — Pritchard should be on his cell trying to acquire someone like Jeff Foster or Nick Collison. Right now, I’d happily overpay for Collison by dumping Outlaw and Jerryd Bayless — whose skill sets aren’t that of winners at the NBA level — even though most people would probably moan and groan at the prospect.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=letoxf

Whether or not Pritchard has the aptitude to get it, the Portland Trail Blazers are past the point of rebuilding and stockpiling assets. At this juncture, it’s about discarding that outdated B.P.A. (i.e., best player available) philosophy and, in turn, embracing the mindset that building a true playoff powerhouse is done by forming a roster full of team-oriented guys who fill specific roles.

As it stands, the Trail Blazers are missing the guy who fills the role of backup power forward and emergency center if/when Greg Oden or Joel Przybilla endures occasional foul trouble, gets knicked up here and there along the way, suffers a serious injury, et cetera. Collison, without question, can fill that role—particularly in comparison to an abject failure like Stro’ Swift or some other broken-down, bottom-of-the-barrel pickup.

Oh, and for anyone who fears that trading Outlaw and Bayless might hurt the team’s depth, it’s not a big deal. Y’know, the signing of a few serviceable minimum-level guys — such as Ime Udoka, Keith Bogans, and Dan Dickau — would shore up the third-string unit at both wing positions and point guard. Udoka, however, would be of the most importance, as Martell Webster surely isn’t a beacon of health. Lastly, the third-string frontline is already set with Jeff “Damaged Goods” Pendergraph and Dante “4/3 ≠ 3/4” Cunningham, whose bargain-basement cost make up for their uselessness next season.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Sep 8, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Okay, can we have the non-sugar-coated version now?

by MiledAnimal on Sep 8, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point, KP hasn't even replaced Frye

and I’ve been waiting for an “upgrade” at backup PF for 4 months, now

Howard and Swift (if they are even retained, after training camp) are in the Shav, Diogu and Ruffin category. (Bench fodder, do not break glass unless there’s an extreme emergency.) And I’m probably selling Shav short, surely he has more “game” than Howard has left, or that Swift ever had

Now that the rookie PF “depth” has been reduced to Dante (who will eventually be an OK replacement for Outlaw but, like Travis, is undersized to guard NBA PFs…) the need for a legit, bonafide, not cancerous or past-his-prime NBA backup 4/5 should still be the #1 priority for KP. This really hasn’t changed, since the final horn of game 6 of the Rocket’s series

Nate said they needed one, and Brandon even mentioned Ronny Turiaf. And yet, we’re still waiting for Channing 2.0

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 8, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we should be reading between the lines ?

Frye only played when he had to. Maybe those minutes will be even less needed next season with an in shape Oden ??
Imo, Howard even at his age could do Fryes role, (and he would use some hard fouls doing it), until Pendergraph is ready to play again.
Not my first choice, but I’m not mad either.

by FrenchieFan on Sep 8, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love Greg, Joel and LMA to get all of the minutes at the 4-5

but it’s a long season, and even if all 3 are healthy there will still be some games where foul trouble will force a 4th “big man” into the game. Last year it was Frye. I don’t rank Howard or Swift any higher than Diogu or Ruffin. (Shav would’ve been a better option than those 2) A “better” veteran PF/C needs to be added, especially for the playoffs

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 8, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Collins > than Howard,

Looks like KP is still working on it. It may be February before we see our back up 4. How possible would a trade for Turiaff be?
Agreed , it is a long season.

by FrenchieFan on Sep 10, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you ever make a post WITHOUT mentioning Collison?

I mean, seriously, you’re a broken record to end all broken records.

"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."

by Arby on Sep 8, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be just as satisfied with Jeff Foster or Kurt Thomas.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Sep 8, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, he didn't mention Hinrich. We're making progress. :)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Sep 8, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but he questioned KP's "aptitude"

For some reason, as much as I respect AK’s opinion on basketball matters (which is quite a bit, actually), I find it laughable for him to call KP’s aptitude into question.

I wonder why I feel that way about it….

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 9, 2009 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's also left Mike Miller out a few times now.

What other white guys with slow feet are hanging around the league?

ignacio

by ignacio on Sep 9, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prendergraph could be a solid backup

Probably won’t ever be more than that but I’m glad he’s officially on the team!

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 8, 2009 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He may not need to be more

He seems to be a very “team first” kind of player. Just the kind of guy we want!

"It’s tough," Martinez said. "This is my house. This is my home."
We'll miss you, Vic

by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Sep 8, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No he doesn't

And with a second round draft pick, that’s fine.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 8, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Odd...very odd....

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Sep 8, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why do you think that?

by tominhawaii on Sep 8, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is also odd to me....

why not wait one more day to see if his surgery goes well?

by ItsMrHarris2u on Sep 8, 2009 2:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

odd. very odd. I was surprised when they signed T. Green too. it’s as though they feel sorry for guys and try to make them feel batter about themselves by giving them contracts.

and why’d they extend Martell right after he broke his foot? odd very odd.

by Love on Sep 8, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, the front office has great negotiating leverage when the player is facing surgery

if Martell or Pendergraph’s agent was ever thinking about “holding out” for more $ it’s kind of hard when the team is holding all the cards

The Blazers have drafted/developed assets, they have “projected” what they think these kids could become once they are healthy. They are paying Jeff to rehab, basically. If they didn’t think he had a future they wouldn’t have drafted him #31

(They would’ve picked the guy with no ACLs (DeJuan Blair) who as far as I know is entering the Spurs training camp with no restrictions…)

Well…handicapping the health of young players is like that, and the Blazers organization has had buzzard’s luck with their draft choices, from Petrie’s knee to Walton’s feet to Bowie’s tibias to Sabonis’ achilles to Oden’s knee.

Pendergraph (and Webster) are a blip on the radar, compared to those guys

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 8, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He may have simply signed the required tender offer that had to be made by Sept 5.

We had to offer him at least a one year, minimum salary offer by Sept 5 or he became a free agent. Or we could have negotiated a longer term guaranteed deal if we thought he was going to be valuable after his recovery (next year?).

But I don’t see where he fits. He’s too small to play center and too slow to play PF. I’m glad we took care of his medical costs and rehab costs, etc. That was the right thing to do. But we will have Freeland coming over in two years, and Claver in two (?) years. Do we need Pendergraph? This costs us $458K against the salary cap (assuming he signed for the minimum). Now if we have to sign Howard or Swift for one year at the minimum (we wouldn’t dare pay them longer or more would we?) it will cost us another $825K against the cap. The $2.7M under the cap we expected to have at the start of the season will be down to about $1.9M (after we renounce Randolph).

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Sep 8, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Continuing ...

We still need the backup PF/C even with Swift or Howard. I wouldn’t want either of them starting if LMA is injured, or playing long minutes at backup center. So I think we still need to trade Travis for a quality backup PF/C and we may need the additional cap space to get that done.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Sep 8, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Pendergraph wasn't going to be a viable future option

based on his size and inability to defend PFs, it makes the “pass” on Blair all the more galling. DeJuan could’ve filled the backup PF spot, and at an affordable price

KP may not have wanted to take on the “risk” (a draftee with no ACLs, too close to the Miles fisaco…) but now he’s been “hip-checked” by Pendergraph

Claver and Cunningham had better turn into something, otherwise this year’s 4 draft choices (plus the Sergio deal) aren’t going to amount to much

Jason Quick was on with Wheels this afternoon and said "I do think a deal will have to be struck during the season, around the trading deadline. There’s just too many guys who can play on this roster and I think you’ll see maybe a ‘2-for-1’ type deal. Where the Blazers ‘thin out’ some of those logjams. And I think it’s probably gonna have to be a Travis or a Martell. I don’t think they’ll do Nic maybe even a Bayless might beon the trading block this year. But boy, everything I’m hearing from people is that Webster is really looking impressive

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 8, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is too early to write off Pendergraph

but even so, a lot of teams have late first round and second round picks that don’t turn out.

My guess is he signed for the minimum, perhaps one year, perhaps two, perhaps with a team option on the second year. My guess is he was hoping for more, which is why he wasn’t signed earlier, and with the injury news his agent told him you’d better take what you can get, they don’t have to offer you anything now.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 9, 2009 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad luck with Geoff Petrie? Are you crazy?

He played 6 years here and averaged 21.8pts/gm, with 4.5 assts. Shot .455 FG%. There was no three-point shot then or he might have been one of the all-time best.

ignacio

by ignacio on Sep 9, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Geoff hurt his knee

or he might’ve played well into his thirties. That’s bad luck for a former co-RoY, it’s just not as well-documented as Bowie and Walton’s misfortunes (but imagine if Petrie’s fate were to happen to Brandon, in a couple of years—perish the thought!)

Of course, Petrie and Wicks couldn’t get along, and Inman did wisely flip Geoff for Mo Lucas (via Atl and the ABA dispersal draft) so “all’s well that ends well” re: Petrie and Portland, I guess

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Sep 9, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sooo...

We signed a guy, presumably on-the-cheap (probably really cheap when your facing surgery), who may not play this year. I like(d) him quite a bit. Hopefully we see him next year at full strength…

In the meantime, anyone else nervous about a backup PF/C?

Are we to presume KP has something in the works, or is he rolling the dice until weeks before the trade deadline with Trout, or…

Hmmm…

by Knobby on Sep 8, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I went to Beyond Bowie today for the first time in a month...

…and found the news summary from August 19, with little analysis or secondary linkage. I haven’t been that bored with Blazer news this month: why is he? I am writing Henry. He has to do better

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Sep 8, 2009 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats to Pendy

Just a dumb question: This couldn’t be discovered when medically examining him at the pre-draft camp in Chicago by the NBA’s medical staff? Or during a pre-draft workout by our own scouts and medical staff?

There's Gotta Be More To Life

by Norsktroll on Sep 8, 2009 4:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There is an injury also

There is an injury that will be repaired during the surgery. I don’t think I can say what it is except that it occurred during the extra workouts in August.

by Uncle Dave in NC on Sep 8, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You seem to have info the majority of the board is not privy to (?)

Uncle Dave in NC 2009-10 ~= Let’s Blaze 2008-09?

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Sep 8, 2009 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not Let's Blaze

I have information because Jeffs mother is my sister, and I live in NC. I think that the team found the congenital problem while examining the injury. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the team saying what they are saying, I just want the fans to know that this is not just a pre existing condition.

by Uncle Dave in NC on Sep 8, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 9, 2009 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

#31

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Sep 8, 2009 4:22 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

link to current roster?

anyone got one?

"No disrespect to Jeff Blake"

by Eat Politicians on Sep 8, 2009 4:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would have thought a lot less, a lot less, of Pritchard and Allen

if they had let Pendergraph twist in the wind after he hurt himself while working to get better.

by raoulduke on Sep 8, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Especially if the info above is true

and he got hurt during the extra workouts with our team in August.

"if Nate has Roy or Miller in the game at all times, that stagnation will turn into conflagration" -- two4larue

by jscot on Sep 9, 2009 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Blazers retain Mills's right but not Pendy's if left unsigned?

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q42
If the player was still eligible to play in college before he was drafted, the team retains the player’s draft rights until the draft the player would have entered had he not left college early. For example, if a team drafts a college sophomore in 2005, they retain his draft rights until the date of the 2007 draft. Note that the current NCAA rules state that players lose their NCAA eligibility if they are drafted, so the player could not return or go on to play college ball.

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q90
A second round draft pick can accept a required tender, which is a one-year contract offer teams must submit to retain their rights to the player.

http://www.nbpa.org/cba_articles/article-X.php#section4
Section 4. Negotiating Rights to Draft Rookies.
(a) …or in the two (2) weeks before the September 5 immediately following the Initial Draft (for a Second Round Pick), such Team has made a Required Tender to such player. If a Team has made a Required Tender to such a player and the player has not signed a Player Contract within the period between the Initial Draft and the Subsequent Draft, the Team that drafted the player shall lose its exclusive right to negotiate with the player and the player will then be eligible for selection in the Subsequent Draft.

(d) If a player is drafted by a Team in either an Initial or Subsequent Draft and that Team does not make a Required Tender to such player, the player will become a Rookie Free Agent …on the September 6 following such Draft (for a Second Round Pick).

by wayno on Sep 9, 2009 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs