The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent guard Blake Wesley, according to Shams Charania.
Wesley, 22, was waived by the Washington Wizards over the weekend after the two sides reached a buyout agreement just 10 days following his trade from the San Antonio Spurs. The former first-round pick will now get a fresh start in Portland as training camp approaches.
Wesley shot 37% from three-point range in the second half of last season, a key improvement that made him an appealing option for the Blazers’ backcourt. His defensive energy and ability to play both guard spots also contributed to his landing a new role.
Wesley was drafted 25th overall by San Antonio in the 2022 NBA Draft but struggled to secure consistent playing time. Over three seasons with the Spurs, he appeared in 156 games and averaged 4.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 rebounds while starting just four contests.
His role with the Spurs diminished last year as the team leaned more heavily on younger talent and veteran additions. He finished the season averaging 3.7 points in 11.8 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 44% from the field.
Earlier this month, Wesley was included in the trade that sent Kelly Olynyk to San Antonio and landed him briefly with Washington. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Wizards agreed to release him to allow the guard to pursue a better fit elsewhere.
