The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard James Bouknight to an Exhibit-10 contract, the team announced via X. Bouknight, selected 11th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, will join Portland as he looks to revitalize his young career.
Bouknight’s time in Charlotte saw flashes of potential but was marred by limited playing time. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2021, contributing just one rebound in a minute of action during a 123-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. A month later, he scored his first NBA points in a 133-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, sinking two free throws in four minutes.
One of Bouknight’s most notable performances came on December 10, 2021, when he recorded a career-high 24 points in a 124-123 win against the Sacramento Kings. However, despite moments of brilliance, he struggled to secure a consistent role in the Hornets’ rotation.
Last season, Bouknight played in just 14 games, averaging 3.6 points in 5.8 minutes per contest. His limited appearances led the Hornets to waive him on February 8, 2024. Now, with an Exhibit-10 contract in Portland, Bouknight has the opportunity to prove himself in training camp and potentially earn a spot on the Blazers’ roster.
Exhibit-10 contracts are non-guaranteed deals that allow teams to convert them into two-way contracts if the player shows promise. For Bouknight, this means that his performance during the preseason could dictate whether he remains with Portland or joins their G League affiliate for further development.
