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Just 43 minutes into NBA free agency, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that free agent Ed Davis had inked a one year $4.4 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Soon after, the reactions poured in. Blazers team leaders Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum turned to social media to express their clear disappointment.
Lillard simply posted a broken heart emoji in his retweet of the Wojnarowski news, while McCollum added “lost a real one”.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 1, 2018
lost a real one https://t.co/7XTotNgIZX
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) July 1, 2018
When questioned about his opinion of Davis, Lillard provided a very sharp response.
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 1, 2018
The local news media also showed surprise. NBC Sports Northwest’s Jason Quick seemed caught aback, questioning why Davis was not returning to the team.
Flabbergasted. Absolutely flabbergasted. https://t.co/wUsmgKzxNf
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 1, 2018
I’ll learn more about Ed Davis’ thinking tomorrow, but tonight he texts: “I said I wanted to come back ...”
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 1, 2018
Olshey’s stance with Blazers has been about keeping their talent: Crabbe, Leonard, Harkless, etc. ... they all got big money. But not Ed freaking Davis? Was the heartbeat of team and is best backup center in NBA, but not good enough to open the wallet? Huh.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 1, 2018
Best backup center in NBA. Period. https://t.co/xgWNHnlcbB
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 1, 2018
The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman joined the chorus.
I can't believe it either. Have to admit ... I'm stunned. https://t.co/gAkN41hC3q
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) July 1, 2018
It seems the full impact of Davis’ time with the organization shone the brightest after he officially moved on from the team.
Ed Davis instantly joins my list of probably underrated Blazers who should arguably have statues at the Rose Quarter or at least a street named after him, along with Mark Bryant, Danny Young, Stacey Augmon, Robert Pack, Kenny Anderson, Harvey Grant, Walt Williams and Steve Smith.
— Sean Michael Meagher (@sean2m) July 1, 2018