GB’s Freeland closing in on Blazers contract

Team GB’s Joel Freeland is on the verge of signing for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers according to various reports today.

Freeland, who currently plays for Spanish Euroleague side Unicaja Malaga, was drafted 30th overall by the Blazers in the 2006 NBA draft but has yet to play for them.

The Surrey-born big man has instead spent time with Spanish side CB Gran Canaria before switching to his current team in 2009. Reports suggest that Freeland’s buyout with his current club stands at 1.5 million euros, an amount which must be paid to the Euroleague outfit before the 25 year old can complete the paperwork on his proposed 3-year $9 million Blazers deal.

Freeland was originally due to take on Portugal in Sheffield this weekend as part of the Team GB preparation for the Olympics but his return is now scheduled for the Team USA match-up on July 19th.