Blazers Signing Free Agent Former First Round Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers are inking a free agent shooting guard, who finished last season with a strong 3-point game, to bolster their backcourt depth for 2025-26.

Sure, free agent signing Damian Lillard will also help in the long range sniping department — but most likely circa 2026-27, given that the 35-year-old is expected to miss most or all of next season rehabilitating from an Achilles tendon tear.

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But in the meantime, Portland has brought in a veteran reinforcement.

Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the Trail Blazers are signing Blake Wesley to a one-year contract.

Free agent guard Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. The former Spurs first-round pick shot 37% on 3s in second half of last season and now lands a new role in Portland. pic.twitter.com/hzEoXlPHAU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2025

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, still just 22, was selected with the No. 25 pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Notre Dame. The young swingman has seen his role decline every year since his rookie season, when he averaged 5.0 points while slashing .321/.385/.591, plus 2.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 steals a night in 18.1 minutes a game.

In 58 healthy games last year, Wesley averaged 3.7 points on .435/.293/.623 shooting splits, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 steals across 11.8 minutes per.

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Charania notes that Wesley connected on 37 percent of his triple tries during the second half of 2024-25 for San Antonio. But cumulatively, he's just a 29.7 percent shooter from long range on 1.1 triple tries over the course of his career. Only once, in 2022-23, did he connect on an above-average tally of triples, nailing 38.5 percent of his 1.4 takes fromm distance as a rookie.

Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reveals that the contract is a fully guaranteed standard roster spot. The Trail Blazers' head count is now 15 standard roster players and a pair of two-way signings. Still, Portland does have a little flexibility on the standard roster front: fourth-string center Duop Reath has a non-guaranteed $2.2 million contract that will become fully guaranteed on Aug. 1.

I’m told this is a fully guaranteed deal, meaning Wesley will be on the team. Blazers now have all 15 roster spots filled. One open two-way. https://t.co/tWEmD6C70Y
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 22, 2025

Wesley had been shipped out to the Washington Wizards as part of the Spurs' trade for versatile big man Kelly Olynyk. He subsequently negotiated a buyout with Washington to hit free agency ahead of his fourth pro season.

The Washington Wizards have reached a buyout agreement with guard Blake Wesley.
— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) July 19, 2025

Per Keith Smith of Spotrac, Wesley surrendered $1.4 million of his $4.73 million contract for the 2025-26 season in buyout negotiations.

Although Wesley's new contract with Portland hasn't been announced, based on Highkin's language it appears likely to be a $2.38 million veteran's minimum agreement, meaning he'll ultimately earn back an extra $1 million more than he had lost in the Wizards buyout.

Marcus Smart gave back $6.8M in his buyout with the Washington Wizards.

Blake Wesley gave back $1.4M in his buyout with the Washington Wizards.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 21, 2025

Wesley does carry plenty of intrigue and upside, and on a young Trail Blazers team will get an opportunity for extended run.

More Portland Trail Blazers News:

Damian Lillard Signing With Blazers in Blockbuster $42 Million Signing

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Discusses Blazers Relocating From Portland

For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.