PORTLAND, Ore. — NBA free agency began June 30 with a flurry of moves. The Portland Trail Blazers front office had repeatedly said it wanted to boost the roster through trades and free-agent signings in the hopes of convincing franchise superstar Damian Lillard to stay in the Rose City. But they didn't make that happen, which led to Lillard asking to be traded on Saturday morning.
The Blazers' top priority coming into free agency was re-signing starting power forward Jerami Grant; the two sides agreed to a new contract shortly after the start of free agency. Portland had bird rights for Grant so it was able to exceed the salary cap to sign him to a new deal.
Now with Lillard requesting a trade, it remains to be seen what kinds of moves the Blazers will make in trades and free agency. As of Saturday morning, it seems that the Blazers' commitment to Grant's new contract has not changed because of the Lillard trade request.
The Blazers will still need to fill out the rest of their roster and that will be done partly through whichever players come back in a Lillard trade. Further moves in free agency may have to wait until that is over. The Blazers did extend a qualifying offer to free-agent wing Matisse Thybulle and will have the right to match if he signs an offer sheet with another team.
Here are the latest offseason reports around the Portland Trail Blazers. Check back as this story will be updated often, with the most recent reports at the top:
July 6
Blazers bring back Matisse Thybulle, match three-year, $33 million offer sheet from Dallas Mavericks
The Portland Trail Blazers will bring back restricted free-agent wing Matisse Thybulle next season after matching a three-year, $33 million offer sheet Thybulle signed with the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday morning. Wojnarowski reported Thursday morning that the third year in the deal is an $11.5 million player option. Haynes tweeted that the deal also contains a 15% trade kicker and that "50% of [Thybulle's] annual salary must be paid by Oct. 1." Read the full story
July 5
Matisse Thybulle plans to sign three-year, $33 million offer sheet with Mavericks; Blazers will have right to match
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Turner Sports reported Wednesday morning that Blazers restricted free agent wing Matisse Thybulle "intends to sign an offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks." Haynes did not report details about the length or value of the offer sheet. Marc Stein reported in his Substack newsletter that the most Thybulle "can receive from a team offering a deal that starts at the $12.4 [million] full midlevel exception for non-taxpayers is a four-year, $54 million contract." On Wednesday night, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the offer sheet is for three years and $33 million.
Portland extended a qualifying offer to Thybulle on June 28, giving them the right to match any offer he receives from another team in free agency.
Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reported Wednesday morning the details on how much time the Blazers will have to decide on whether to match the offer from the Mavericks. "If Matisse Thybulle signs an offer sheet today, the Blazers will have until EOD (11:59pm) on July 7th to match," Highkin tweeted. "If he signs after noon ET tomorrow, they have until EOD of the 8th. Clock starts when the moratorium period ends tomorrow."
After Portland traded for Thybulle in February, the 6-foot-5 wing averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 27.7 minutes per game for Portland. The two-time all-defensive player also shot well from the 3-point line for the Blazers, making 38.8% of his 3.9 attempts per game from behind the arc. He's a career 33.4% 3-point shooter. See Haynes tweet | See Highkin's tweet | Read Stein's newsletter
John Butler Jr. re-signs with Blazers on two-way contract
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that John Butler Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Blazers for the second year in a row. The 7-foot-1 forward played in 19 games for the Blazers last season and averaged 2.4 points in 11.6 minutes per contest. He'll play for the Blazers' summer-league team in Las Vegas.
July 4
Blazers sign second-round pick Rayan Rupert
The Blazers announced Tuesday morning that the team had signed rookie forward Rayan Rupert. Portland selected Rupert with the 43rd overall pick in the NBA draft on June 22. The terms of the contract were not announced by the team. Rupert, a native of France, played the past season for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australia National Basketball league. The 19-year-old averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. Rupert is expected to play for the Blazers in summer league in Las Vegas. Read the news release from the Blazers
UPDATE: Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Rupert's deal is a "three-year deal, which is fully guaranteed for the first two years and includes a team option for the third year." According to spotrac.com, the deal is estimated to be worth a total of $5.2 million, with about $3.7 million guaranteed: $1.8 million in the first year, $1.9 million in Year 2 and a team option for $2.2 million in the third year.
July 1
Damian Lillard asks Blazers for trade; preferred destination is the Miami Heat
The news broke Saturday morning: Damian Lillard had requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Multiple reports indicate his preferred destination is the Miami Heat (which would "almost certainly include" a third team, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reported), but the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs have also been reported as teams Lillard might be interested in. The Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers were reported to be interested in looking at trades for Lillard, too. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Blazers are "expected to work" to accomodate Lillard's request and that they'll "value deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets." Read the full story
Blazers officially sign first-round picks Scoot Henderson and Kris Murray
The Blazers announced Saturday afternoon that the team had signed rookie guard Scoot Henderson, the third overall pick, and forward Kris Murray, the 23rd overall pick, to their rookie contracts. Rookie-scale contracts are four years with team options in the third and fourth seasons and are set by draft position. Henderson's salary will start at $9.8 million his rookie season and Murray's at $2.8 million, according to spotrac.com. Both players are expected to participate for the Blazers in summer league in Las Vegas. Read the news release from the Blazers
Ibou Badji re-signs with Blazers on two-way contract
Keith Smith of Spotrac reported that Ibou Badji signed a two-way contract with the Blazers for the second year in a row. The 7-foot-1 center from Senegal will play for the Blazers' summer-league team in Las Vegas.
June 30
Blazers, Jerami Grant agree on new five-year deal worth $160 million
The Portland Trail Blazers' top free agent, starting power forward Jerami Grant, will return to Portland, agreeing to a new five-year contract worth $160 million, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Friday. Re-signing Grant, 29, was one of the Blazers' top priorities this offseason as the front office attempts to put win-now talent around Damian Lillard. Grant was arguably the Blazers' second-best player last season, averaging 20.5 points while shooting a career-high 40.1% on nearly six 3-point attempts per game. Read the full story
Blazers free-agent center Drew Eubanks leaving Portland, agrees to two-year deal with Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers free-agent center Drew Eubanks will not re-sign with Portland, agreeing instead to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns that includes a player option in Year 2, according to multiple reports, including from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The 6-foot-9 Eubanks, who played high school basketball in Troutdale and college basketball at Oregon State, averaged 8.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.3 minutes in 100 games over the past year-plus with the Blazers.
Blazers free agent Cam Reddish won't return to Portland, agrees to two-year deal with Los Angeles Lakers
Forward Cam Reddish won't be returning to Portland next season, agreeing instead to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported. Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported the second year is a player option. It was reported earlier this week that the Blazers weren't extending a qualifying offer to Reddish, making him an unrestricted free agent, which meant Portland was unlikely to try to bring Reddish back. The 6-foot-8 Reddish came to the Blazers in a February trade and averaged 11 points and 2.9 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game for Portland. He played 20 games for the Blazers, including 12 starts.
Pre-free agency rumors and reports
(June 30) Windhorst mentions Lillard and the 76ers again
Appearing on ESPN's NBA Today on Friday afternoon, Brian Windhorst of ESPN mentioned Damian Lillard and the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential trade scenario for the second time Friday). It was reported Friday afternoon that the 76ers are not going to extend guard Tyrese Maxey and Windhorst said that may be because Maxey could be a potential piece in a Damian Lillard trade. Said Windhorst: "One thing I will say. I know Ramona [Shelburne], a short time ago reported that the Sixers were not going to extend Tyrese Maxey this summer. Want to know why? Because they might trade him! He would be a potential piece in a Dame Lillard trade. ... Tyrese Maxey is a very interesting piece. He stands out. He's a potential All-Star at that position. The Sixers would potentially have a great opportunity. And if they were able to trade Harden for pieces that could sweeten the deal, it would be interesting." Watch the clip
(June 30) Blazers interested in free agent wing Max Strus
UPDATE: Strus went to the Cleveland Cavaliers, agreeing Saturday morning to a four-year, $36 million sign-and-trade. In the deal, Strus went to the Cavs on the new deal, the Miami Heat (Strus' former team) got a second-round pick and the San Antonio Spurs acquired Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and a second-round pick, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported.
ORIGINAL POST: Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that there is "widespread interest" in free agent Max Strus. Fischer mentioned two teams, Cleveland and Portland, as among the teams interested. Can the Blazers afford Strus? Fischer writes that "Strus' representation has told inquiring teams he will command upward of $16 million average annual value." The Blazers have only the $12.4 million midlevel exception to work with, barring a sign-and-trade. Strus, a 6-foot-5 wing who has played both shooting guard and small forward during his four seasons in the NBA, averaged 11.1 points and shot 37.6% on 6.8 3-point attempts per game over the past two seasons with Miami. Read the full report
(June 30) Blazers waive fan-favorite Trendon Watford
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Portland Trail Blazers are waiving forward Trendon Watford. The 22-year-old played his first two seasons with the Blazers, going from an undrafted two-way player to earning a contract in his first season and becoming a fan favorite. "He had two productive seasons with Portland and joins the free agent market with some upside value for teams," Wojnarowski reported. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 18.6 minutes over 110 games the past two seasons in Portland. Larry Nance Jr., a former teammate of Watford with the Blazers, tweeted his support for Watford after the news broke. "T-Wat has a place in this league... high IQ, great touch, and a great locker room presence," Nance tweeted.
(June 30) 76ers could offer 'compelling package' for Damian Lillard
If the Philadelphia 76ers trade James Harden (he opted into his contract for next season on Thursday and asked Philadelphia to trade him), Brian Windhorst of ESPN said the assets they receive in return could put them in position to trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lilard if he asks out or if Portland decides to trade him. On an appearance on ESPN's First Take, Windhorst said the 76ers could trade Harden to the Clippers "or somebody else" and "pick up some assets that would be interesting to Portland." Windhorst went on to say that "Philadelphia could potentially offer a very compelling package for Dame Lillard" because they could include guard Tyrese Maxey in a trade. "The way he would fit alongside Scoot Henderson in that future would be very compelling for Portland if they need to go that route." Maxey, 22, is a 6-foot-2 guard who averaged 20.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds for the 76ers last season. He's shot 47.9% from the field, 41.4% from 3 and 85.8% from the free-throw line over his first three NBA seasons. Watch the clip
(June 30) Blazers show interest in free agent forward Donta Hall
Marc Stein reported in his Substack newsletter that the Blazers are among a handful of teams to show interest in free agent forward Donta Hall, who "helped AS Monaco reach the EuroLeague Final Four this season." Hall, a 6-9 forward/center, turns 26 on Aug. 7. He went undrafted out of Alabama but played in 22 NBA games with three different teams from 2019 to 2021, averaging 5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 13.8 minutes per game. For AS Monaco this past season, Hall averaged 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game. Read the full report
(June 29) Blazers don't exercise $3 million team option on forward Kevin Knox
Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan and Jacked Ramsays podcast reported that the Portland Trail Blazers did not pick up the $3 million team option on Kevin Knox, making the 6-foot-7 forward an unrestricted free agent. Knox averaged 8.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 21 games last season with the Blazers after coming over from Detroit in a February trade. He averaged 17.1 minutes per game. See the tweet
(June 29) Blazers extend qualifying offers to two-way players Ibou Badji and John Butler Jr.
The Portland Trail Blazers reported Thursday afternoon they'd extended qualifying offers to center Ibou Badji and forward John Butler Jr., making both restricted free agents. The Blazers will have the right to match any offer they receive from other teams in free agency. Both players signed two-way contracts with the Blazers last season. Badji, a 7-foot-1 center, didn't play in any games last season for Portland. Butler, a 7-1 forward, played in 19 games for the Blazers last season and averaged 2.4 points in 11.6 minutes per game. Read the news release from the Blazres
(June 28) Blazers extend qualifying offer to free agent wing Matisse Thybulle
The Portland Trail Blazers reported Wednesday morning they'd extended a qualifying offer to wing Matisse Thybulle. The move makes the 6-foot-5 wing a restricted free agent, meaning the Blazers will have the right to match any offer he receives from another team in free agency. After Portland traded for Thybulle in February, he averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 27.7 minutes per game for Portland. The two-time all-defensive player also shot well from the 3-point line for the Blazers, making 38.8% of his 3.9 attempts per game from behind the arc. He's a career 33.4% 3-point shooter. Read the news release from the Blazers
(June 28) Blazers not expected to extend qualifying offer to free agent forward Cam Reddish
Michael A. Scotto of Hoopshype reported that the Portland Trail Blazers aren't expected to extend a qualifying offer to forward Cam Reddish by his June 29 deadline. If they don't, the 6-foot-8 Reddish will be an unrestricted free agent. Scotto wrote that "Portland is up against a looming luxury tax crunch" and that several teams around the league believe Reddish "has untapped potential." The Blazers could still sign Reddish without extending a qualifying offer, but they'd need to use one of their exceptions to do so. Reddish came to the Blazers in a February trade and averaged 11 points and 2.9 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game for Portland. He played 20 games for the Blazers, including 12 starts. See the tweet
(June 28) Limited free agency and trade chatter around Blazers, no 'list forming for teams interested in' Anfernee Simons
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported "there's been little chatter of substantive movement for the Blazers" outside of the team's intention to re-sign starting power forward Jerami Grant. Furthermore, Fischer wrote that "there's yet to be any type of list forming for teams interested in Portland's best trade asset at the moment: 24-year-old guard Anfernee Simons." Fischer also said that the Blazers and Cavaliers had trade discussions about Portland forward Nassir Little, "but no deal structure ever gained real traction there." This means one of two things: the Blazers are not engaged in discussions and there's no interest in a Simons trade OR the Blazers are engaged in discussions and there is trade interest in Simons, but Portland isn't leaking to the media and is asking involved parties to also refrain. Read the full story
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Which sources can you trust?
I try to limit reports in article like this to the most reputable NBA reporters. That includes Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, Marc Stein and his Substack newsletter and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, as well as local Blazers reporters like Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan and the Jacked Ramsays podcast, Jason Quick of The Athletic and Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian, among others.
