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The Brooklyn Nets continue to receive praise for their savvy addition of former Trail Blazers reserve big man Ed Davis. The 29-year-old veteran agreed to a one-year, $4.4 million contract with the Nets on the first day of free agency. Paolo Uggetti of The Ringer listed the move as one of the best buy-low deals of the 2018 NBA offseason.
Uggetti was surprised that the Blazers were unable to bring the veteran big man back to Portland.
Davis is becoming the new Mike Conley, except not as talented and not as well-known. I’m convinced every team in the NBA could use Ed Davis, and I’m surprised the Blazers let him go. He is the perfect backup big, and, as evidenced by Damian Lillard’s reaction upon Davis’s departure, a great locker room guy. Brooklyn nabbing the 29-year-old is both a steal and a bummer. Davis could help a contending team. Instead, he’ll be backing up 23-year-old Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or playing alongside 20-year-old Jarrett Allen as the Nets continue their slow ascent from the bottom of the league.
Davis played 205 regular season games (12 starts) in his three seasons with the Blazers. He averaged 5.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season.
The Blazers will bank on Zach Collins, Caleb Swanigan, and Meyers Leonard to fill the void left behind by Davis’ departure.
You can read Uggetti’s full list of buy-low bargains by visiting The Ringer.