Trail Blazers Convert Duop Reath to Standard NBA Contract
Trail Blazers Convert Duop Reath to Standard NBA Contract
The rookie center has become a mainstay in Portland's rotation since signing a two-way contract.
The Trail Blazers have converted center Duop Reath from a two-way to a standard NBA contract, a league source confirms. ESPN reported that it will be a three-year contract keeping Reath with the Blazers through the 2025-26 season.
It’s a move that has been an inevitability with Reath on track to hit the 50-game limit for two-way contract players well before the end of the season. The Blazers have wanted to sign him to a standard contract for a while, but in recent weeks, there were questions about whether Reath and his representatives would be open to a multi-year deal. He’s played well enough this season that he might have had a legitimate market around the league if he had hit free agency, and at 27 years old, this might have been his best chance for a real payday.
But the Blazers love Reath, and he likes the organization. Ultimately, they were able to come to an agreement on a deal extending beyond this season.
Reath, who was born in what is now South Sudan but grew up in Australia and plays for the Australian national team, has been a mainstay in Portland’s rotation for most of the season as their frontcourt has been hit by injuries. He became the Blazers’ primary backup center after Robert Williams III underwent season-ending knee surgery in November. With the Blazers’ other backup center, Moses Brown, still sidelined after undergoing wrist surgery, Reath will continue to play a major role the rest of the season.
With Ashton Hagans’ 10-day contract set to expire, the Blazers had an open roster spot and will not have to waive anyone to sign Reath. They also now have an open two-way alongside Justin Minaya and Ibou Badji. Expect the two-way spot to be filled soon, either by a player currently on the Blazers’ G League team, the Rip City Remix, or by someone from outside the organization.
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