The Portland Trail Blazers are locking in Duop Reath for another season, guaranteeing his $2.22 million salary for 2025-26, sources told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto on Friday.
This decision comes as Reath enters the final year of his three-year, $6.22 million contract. The Blazers will have the chance to make him a restricted free agent next summer by offering him a qualifying offer.
Reath’s journey to the NBA wasn’t straightforward. The 26-year-old went undrafted out of LSU before signing with Portland in October 2023.
The 6-foot-10 center has spent the last two seasons with the Blazers, appearing in 114 games.
His career numbers show promise – 7.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in just under 15 minutes per game. He’s shooting a respectable 45.1% from the floor and has shown range with a 34.8% mark from three-point territory.
Reath’s rookie season was particularly impressive. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds while hitting nearly 36% of his threes.
But things changed in his second year.
His playing time dropped dramatically – from almost 18 minutes per game (with 20 starts) as a rookie to just 10.2 minutes coming off the bench last season.
The decrease wasn’t really his fault. Portland added rookie center Donovan Clingan to the mix, while previous starter Deandre Ayton was shipped off to the Lakers.
The Blazers also drafted another big man, Yang Hansen, in the first round.
Reath’s role could shrink even further if Hansen earns minutes under coach Chauncey Billups. And if Robert Williams stays healthy, that’s another player ahead of him in the rotation.
Despite limited opportunities, Reath showed flashes of what he can do. In a March game against the Kings, he dropped a season-high 17 points, knocking down three three-pointers in the process.
The Blazers have been busy reshaping their roster this offseason. In a surprising move, they brought back franchise icon Damian Lillard, the nine-time All-Star who had previously been the face of the organization.
They’ve also added depth by signing guards Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko to two-way contracts.
One of their biggest moves was trading Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks to Boston for veteran guard Jrue Holiday. Interestingly, Holiday is returning to Portland after the Blazers had traded him to the Celtics back in October 2023.
The team also secured defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle, who exercised his $11.55 million option for next season. Thybulle was limited to just 15 games last year due to knee inflammation that required a procedure in October.
Rounding out their offseason moves, Portland signed free agent guard Blake Wesley to a fully guaranteed one-year deal, according to Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report.
