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Portland Trail Blazers sign Cody Zeller, Enes Kanter likely gone

ByStevie Cozens|
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers have made their first signing of the 2021 Free Agency period, picking up Cody Zeller, recently of the Charlotte Hornets, on a one-year deal.

ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski had the news, reported about halfway into the first day of Free Agency.

Zeller is a 28-year-old, six-foot-eleven center, who was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2013 before Michael Jordan bought the franchise and re-branded it to the Hornets.

Zeller was an integral part of the strong Hornets teams of the mid-2010s, as the starting center when they made the playoffs. Injuries the last few years have limited his effectiveness a little, but as a backup big on what is likely to be a one-year minimum deal, he is a nice pickup.

Unfortunately, this probably spells the end of Enes Kanter though. Because the Blazers are limited with the funds they have to spend, and Kanter’s market is more than the minimum, the signing of Zeller means Kanter is probably gone. It’s hard to see them bringing Kanter back at this point in time.

The third backup big spot may go to one of the Blazers young forwards that were signed on draft night, or another minimum guy.

Zeller’s health is a slight concern at this moment, but let’s hope he can recuperate over this off-season to provide the solid backup production to starting big man Jusuf Nurkic.

The Blazers still have the TaxPayer exception and the Bi-Annual exception left as tools to improve the team. They still have four full roster spots and one two-way roster spots left as well.