:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50018311/usa-today-8967711.0.jpg)
UPDATE (1:50 PM): The Charlotte Hornets are also interested in Zaza Pachulia, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski:
Sources: Charlotte still trying to move Spencer Hawes contract to clear additional space for a center. Hibbert and Zaza are top of the list.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 4, 2016
The Portland Trail Blazers' brief, reported tryst with Golden State Warriors free agent center Festus Ezeli has ended, according to multiple reports. The Blazers will now turn their attention to Dallas Mavericks free agent center Zaza Pachulia, according to Jason Quick of CSNNW.
Blazers will not pursue Festus Ezeli or Nene and will turn their attention to Zaza Pachulia
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 4, 2016
Ezeli's price appeared to be too steep for the Blazers, who refused to renounce their restricted free agents to create space for him, according to Quick.
To chase Ezeli, Blazers felt they would have renounce players, which they are unwilling to do.They value Leonard, Crabbe and Harkless
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 4, 2016
Pachulia, 32, had a career-best total-rebound rate of 19.7 percent last season with the Mavericks in 76 games, 69 of which he started. He was in and out of the rotation at times as Salah Mejri emerged and Rick Carlisle tinkered with the line-up. But Pachulia started the final seven games of the season and four of the five games in their first round series against Oklahoma City, including their only victory.
His rim protection numbers-- including a 52.4 percent allowed field goal percentage-- are slightly better than Portland's other centers.
Offensively, he doesn't project to improve them much outside of his screen-setting. He shot 46 percent from the field and 58 percent from 0-to-3 feet, according to Basketball-Reference.
However, Pachulia has flashed above-average playmaking in years past. Last year was the first time in four seasons he posted an assist-percentage lower than 10 (9.7). He posted assist-percentage's above 16 during his two seasons in Milwaukee, which is on par with what Mason Plumlee did last season for the Blazers.