Trail Blazers Add To Guard Depth, Sign 2022 First Round Pick

Trail Blazers Add To Guard Depth, Sign 2022 First Round Pick

Blake Wesley Agrees To 1-Year Deal With Trail Blazers

As first reported by Shams Charania, Blake Wesley is joining Portland for the 2025-26 season. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is likely for the veteran’s minimum.

It was less than two weeks ago that Wesley, while on the San Antonio Spurs, was traded to the Washington Wizards along with Malaki Branham and a 2026 second round pick in exchange for Kelly Olynyk. Last Friday, it was announced that the Wizards had bought out Wesley, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Now 22 years old, Wesley was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by San Antonio. The 6-foot-5 guard played his first three seasons them, appearing in 156 outings (four starts).

Last season in his 58 appearances, Wesley played a career-low 11.8 minutes per contest. On the year, he posted averages of 3.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 43.5% from the field, 29.3% from beyond the arc, and 62.3% from the free-throw line.

Prior to the NBA, Wesley spent one year (2021-22) playing collegiately for Notre Dame. That season, he was named Second Team All-ACC and to the ACC All-Rookie team, parlaying that success into declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.

Not A Sure Thing To Be In Rotation

Barring injuries, it is not certain as to whether Wesley will be able to carve a path to steady minutes for Portland next season. Not even including Lillard, there are three guards who clearly will be ahead of him in the pecking order. They are Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe. They also roster Matisse Thybulle, who splits his time between shooting guard and small forward.