After a successful one-year run with the Dallas Mavericks, forward Al-Farouq Aminu has agreed to sign a four-year, $30 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Many expected the Mavericks to re-sign the versatile forward, but the Blazers locked him up not even 30 minutes into free agency.
It seems the Blazers have found their Nicolas Batum replacement, but what does this mean for LaMarcus Aldridge? It looks like the Blazers are practically convinced that the 29-year-old All-Star will leave them this summer.
Aminu, 24, is a promising defensive player with the flexibility to play multiple positions. He played in 74 games for the Mavericks last season, starting in only three of them. Aminu averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, but those stats do not define what he does on the floor.
Aminu is known for his quick hands, long arms, and athleticism. He can defend multiple positions and is extremely disruptive on the defensive end.
The Blazers will be Aminu’s fourth team in six seasons. He was taken eighth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010 by current Blazers general manager Neil Olshey, and he was part of the blockbuster Chris Paul trade in 2011. He spent three years in New Orleans before signing a one-year deal with the Mavericks.