Free agent center

will sign a free-agent contract with the

providing he passes a physical in Portland on Sunday.

Przybilla said he made the decision on Monday.

Przybilla, 32, played six and a half seasons in Portland until he was traded to Charlotte last February for Gerald Wallace. He played five games with Charlotte before shutting his season down on March 8 because of right knee pain. Przybilla had two surgeries on his right knee to repair a ruptured patella tendon.

If Przybilla passes his physical, the Blazers will have to waive a player to sign him. Candidates are second-year guard Armon Johnson, injured center Greg Oden, or second-year center Chris Johnson.

Przybilla is valued by the Blazers for his ability to rebound, block shots and set screens. One of the toughest and most respected players by his teammates during his tenure in Portland, Przybilla was a fan favorite.

“Everybody here knows Joel,’’ team president Larry Miller said Tuesday night. “You know what he brings to the table: toughness, rebounding, defense and the fans here love Joel. So he would be a great addition for our team. He brings defensive toughness and shot blcoking. Things that can help us.’’

The Blazers have been pursuing Przybilla since the NBA lockout ended the first week in December. On the first day teams could contact free agents, Blazers athletic trainer Jay Jensen was on Przybilla's doorstep in Milwaukee that morning.

Przybilla struggled with deciding whether he wanted to return to the NBA because he wanted to strengthen his right knee and more than anything, he was enjoying being a father to his two sons.

But after returning to basketball workouts, he said his body started to feel good. By mid-January he said he had started to miss the game.

He chose the Blazers over Miami, Chicago and Milwaukee. His contract will last through this season.

The Blazers (18-16) have started their All-Star break and don’t play until Feb. 29 in Denver.

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