The Trailblazers have lost F/C Raef LaFrentz for the next 6-8 months due to surgery he recently had to repair a torn right labrum.  This will likely cause him to miss most if not all of the 2008-09 NBA season.  The 32-year old LaFrentz played in 39 games (0 starts) for the Blazers last season and he averaged 7.5 minutes, 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  LaFrentz’ injury is probably the main reason why the Blazers’ recently signed F/C Shavlik Randolph.  LaFrentz has played two years for the Blazers in which he has appeared in 66 games (9 starts) and averaged 9.7 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.

The Trailblazers have signed 24-year old forward Shavlik Randolph to a 1-year deal. Randolph has been injury prone in his first three seasons in the NBA but he is a talented player. Randolph played in 9 games (0 starts) for the 76ers last season and he averaged 3.0 minutes, 0.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He might have a hard time finding playing time for the loaded Blazers’ frontcourt but when he does play he will do a decent job for them. Randolph has now played in 79 games (7 starts) in which he has averaged 8.8 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.