Ed Davis is leaving Los Angeles for the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, like most of the rest of the league, he's waiting for LaMarcus Aldridge to make a decision and determine just how big Davis' role will be in his new home.
Davis agreed to terms on a three-year, $20 million deal with the Blazers on Thursday, agent David Bauman of Relativity Sports said.
The 25-year-old Davis was the 13th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in 2010, but he has bounced around the league for his first five seasons. He spent two and a half seasons in Toronto and another season and a half in Memphis before signing a two-year deal with the Lakers last summer that allowed him to opt out after his first year.
Davis averaged 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in just over 23 minutes per game with the Lakers, a productive stint especially for a player making under $1 million. He's getting a hefty raise to go to Portland, but he won't know exactly what his role will be with the Blazers until Aldridge decides where he will sign.
If the All-Star power forward chooses to remain in Portland, Davis will be a valuable and versatile piece off the bench for a Blazers roster that is in flux. Nicolas Batum was traded to Charlotte, free agent Wesley Matthews is unlikely to return and new faces including Gerald Henderson and Mason Plumlee have arrived to change things up.
If Aldridge chooses to leave Portland for one of the many teams courting him, Davis could slide into the spot in the starting lineup that Aldridge vacates. Davis has never averaged more than 25 minutes per game in his first five NBA seasons, but starting in a group that includes point guard Damian Lillard could give him a chance to prove that he deserves a more featured role.
Davis cannot sign his contract until July 9, per league rules.
