NorthPort management couldn’t wait to see the new skills Greg Slaughter hopes to display after being acquired from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in exchange for Christian Standhardinger.
Slaughter is eyeing a fresh start with the Batang Pier after spending most of last year training under the watchful eyes of ex-NBA scout Gary Boyson in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“The team is thrilled to have him in the team, knowing he worked hard in the US to polish his game,” NorthPort said in a statement shortly after the PBA announced Friday, March 5, 2021 that the deal was approved by the league’s trade committee.
The 7-footer leaves Ginebra after six seasons, but not before deciding to take a break from playing amid rumors of the now-approved swap.
During his stay in the US, Slaughter tried to work on his dribbling skills and outside shooting in a bid to add more dimension to his game instead of being known primarily for his low-post moves.
The Batang Pier said they were forced to pull off the trade as Standhardinger has yet to sign a contract extension.
But NorthPort is confident it got in return an equal talent in Slaughter, who not only won Rookie of the Year honors in 2014 but also took the Best Player of the Conference in the 2017 Governors’ Cup.
“It was a good trade, beneficial to both teams,” NorthPort said.