Portland, OR – The Portland Trail Blazers' trade to acquire center Robin Lopez and guard Terrel Harris from the New Orleans Pelicans was officially completed on Wednesday.
In exchange, New Orleans will receive the draft rights to center Jeff Withey, as well future second round draft picks and cash considerations.
Lopez is coming off the best statistical season of his five-year career, posting 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while starting all 82 contests during his only season in New Orleans in 2012-13.
"Robin is a starting-caliber center coming off the best year of his career," said team general manager Neil Olshey. "He fills a void at a position we made a priority this offseason, and his size, ability to protect the rim and emerging offensive game are all key elements in achieving our goal of having more of a presence in the paint on both ends of the floor this season."
The 7-footer spent the first four years of his career with the Phoenix Suns and holds career averages of 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
Harris will enter his third NBA season, having spent 13 games with New Orleans last year. He's averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds over 42 career games.
Withey was selected by Portland with the 39th overall pick. During his senior season at Kansas, the 7-footer notched career highs in points (13.7), rebounds (8.5) and blocks (3.9).
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