While the additions of free agents Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli are likely to improve the Portland Trail Blazers' roster going into the 2016-17 NBA season, it's the retaining of the team's young core of drafted talent that will serve to push things forward in Rip City in the years to come. The new contracts signed by restricted free agents Allen Crabbe and Meyers Leonard reinforce president of basketball operations Neil Olshey's belief in player development following career years from both players last season in Portland.
Crabbe, selected 31st overall the Trail Blazers following a trade in the 2013 NBA Draft, averaged a career-high 10.