Trail Blazers sign free agents Cliff Alexander, Phil Pressey
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Cliff Alexander and guard Phil Pressey, Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey announced Friday.
Alexander, 19, was a highly-touted recruit entering his freshman year at Kansas, but struggled to receive regular playing time and finished the season serving a suspension after an NCAA violation he said his mother unknowingly committed. The 6'8" forward averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks and led the team in field goal percentage.
After going undrafted in June, Alexander played with the Brooklyn Nets in summer league.
Pressey, 24, has averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 assists in 125 NBA games. He spent the past two seasons with the Boston Celtics after going undrafted out of Missouri, where he was a first team All-SEC performer.
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The Trail Blazers continue to retool their roster after the departure of star forward LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, along with starters Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez and Nicolas Batum, who Portland dealt to Charlotte for guard Gerald Henderson and forward Noah Vonleh. Former guard Arron Afflalo signed with the New York Knicks.
Portland's other off-season additions include forwards Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ed Davis and center Mason Plumlee.
• Alexander tops list of 2015's top undrafted players
- Jeremy Woo