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Blazers GM: Ezeli won't be on team next season

Sam Forencich / National Basketball Association / Getty

The Portland Trail Blazers will waive center Festus Ezeli before his 2017-18 salary becomes fully guaranteed, general manager Neil Olshey confirmed Tuesday in his exit interview with reporters, including The Oregonian's Joe Freeman.

Ezeli, who signed a two-year, $15-million free-agent deal in the summer, did not suit up for a single game in his first year as a Blazer due to recurrent knee problems. He's guaranteed $1 million for next season, but the remaining $6.3 million on his team option will be wiped away unless he's still on Portland's roster past June 30.

The 27-year-old has dealt with significant injuries throughout his career, and this is the second time in the past four years he's been forced to sit out an entire season. Since his rookie campaign in 2012-13, Ezeli has failed to play more than 46 games in any season.

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