Blazers To Call-Up Chris Johnson For Remainder Of Season

The Portland Trail Blazers just re-signed Jarron Collins yesterday to a second 10-day contract, but that apparently hasn't stopped them from looking at other potential big men as sources close to the situation have informed Ridiculous Upside that the team is expected to call-up Chris Johnson for the remainder of the season. (Teammate Mike Anderson seemed to confirm the news in a tweet on Saturday afternoon)

Johnson earned his first look with the Blazers back in January, playing a total of 16 minutes in two games while not making much of an impact in the box score. He seemingly was primed for a second 10-day with Portland, but has done pretty well for himself since his first contract expired on February 4.

After toiling a few more weeks in the D-League with the Dakota Wizards, Johnson was called up to the Boston Celtics on the day of the trade deadline as an extra body after the team shipped out big men Kendrick Perkins, Semih Erden and Luke Harangody. Johnson played that night, scoring six points and swatting three shots in 17 minutes after joining the team earlier in the afternoon.

After his 10 days with the Celtics were up, however, Johnson was once again sent back to the D-League when Boston elected to bring on Carlos Arroyo instead of re-upping with their intriguing shot blocker.

I am unsure if Johnson would be eligible to play in the playoffs with the Blazers due to the rule that states "If a player is waived after March 1, he is ineligible to be included in the playoff roster of any team that signs him for the remainder of that season." The key being that he wasn't technically waived but that his contract expired and wasn't renewed.

Either way, this is another solid opportunity for Johnson. Hopefully the third time (he signed a 10-day contract this season) is the charm.

In 35 D-League games this season, Johnson was averaging 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.