 Toronto officially signs Kleiza
2010-07-26 16:14:00
Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Linas Kleiza to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, no details of the deal were announced.
The Raptors had signed Kleiza to an offer sheet that was not matched by his former team, the Denver Nuggets, and assumed his rights on July 17.
The former Missouri Tiger played with Olympiakos in Greece last season and averaged 14 points and 5.1 rebounds in 31 games. He helped lead Olympiakos to the Euroleague Championship game in Paris and contributed 17.1 points and 6.5 boards in 22 Euroleague contests.
Kleiza spent the first four years of his career in the NBA with Denver and averaged 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 301 games.
"We are very happy to add a tough-minded, hard-nosed forward who will certainly get a chance to contribute given the departure of Hedo Turkoglu," said general manager Bryan Colangelo. "Linas has that unique inside/outside game that makes him a tough cover at a couple of different positions."
The Lithuanian-born Kleiza was originally selected by Portland with the 27th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
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