11:15 am: Wesley has officially signed with the Blazers, the team confirmed today in a press release.
10:11 am: Shortly after being bought out by the Wizards, shooting guard Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Trail Blazers, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). It’ll be a fully guaranteed contract, per Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report (Twitter link).
The 25th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Notre Dame, Wesley spent his first three professional seasons in San Antonio, where he appeared in 156 total regular season games. He played a limited role for the Spurs, averaging just 4.3 points and 2.4 assists in 14.3 minutes per night, with a .409/.297/.634 shooting line.
While Wesley’s contributions at the NBA level have been modest, he’s still just 22 years old and is considered a strong on-ball defender. He has also shot the ball better in the G League than he has in the NBA, making 45.6% of his field goal tries and 35.9% of his three-point attempts for the Austin Spurs.
Wesley was traded to Washington earlier this month as part of a deal that sent Kelly Olynyk to San Antonio. However, he was only a Wizard for about a week-and-a-half before agreeing to give up roughly $1.38MM of his $4.73MM salary for 2025/26 in order to secure his release.
The exact financial terms of Wesley’s deal with Portland haven’t been reported, but it figures to be a minimum-salary contract, which would pay him roughly $2.38MM. In other words, he’ll more than make up the money he forfeited in his buyout with Washington.
Adding Wesley will give the Blazers 15 players on standard contracts, including 14 with guaranteed salaries. Duop Reath‘s salary guarantee date is coming up on August 1.
I was hoping the Blazers would resign Dalano Banton 😩
Yeah, Banton is a very under the radar FA right now. Could be a sneaky good addition for someone.
Another guard? That makes sense! LOL
It’s called depth. It’s a one year deal. What other guards outside of Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe were going to be in the rotation?
Thyb and banton will take up minutes as well.
Thybulle if he’s healthy can play guard or forward. While I like what Banton brings skill-wise, not sure the way he plays fits into the type of offense Portland wants to play. There’s a lot of head down drives to the basket and not kicking out to open guys when the defense collapses.
Banton is not on the roster. He’s gone
Will Lillard count as one of the 15?
Yes.
Crazy trade idea-
Celts: Huerter
Bulls: Simons
Nets: Grayson Allen, protected Suns 26 1st
Suns: Ayo, Jaylen Wilson
Cs save another $9M
Suns save $7M and get out of Allen’s 3 yr deal.
Nets get a pick for adding Allen and his $
Under the radar signing in my opinion. I wish it was for 3 years at the minimum contract so we could have his bird rights. I also wish even though it’s not going to happen that Banton was resigned. He will be a good signing for someone.
Banton is a loveable guy but I don’t think he could check his hat.