The Portland Path Blazers signed Blake Wesley to a one-year deal in an effort to bolster their backcourt as franchise icon Damian Lillard recovers from a torn Achilles.
The Portland Path Blazers parted methods with Deandre Ayton this summer time, however introduced in veteran guards Jrue Vacation and Damian Lillard, hoping that they can assist Chauncey Billups construct on the success from final season.
Within the remaining 15 video games of final season, the Blazers boasted the ninth-best defensive ranking and went 8-7. Between Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, and Donovan Clingan, they’re making an attempt to reinvent themselves as a defensive juggernaut. Vacation undoubtedly helps with that, and Lillard’s mentorship also needs to see the staff enhance.
With Lillard out all of subsequent season with a torn Achilles, the Path Blazers signed a depth piece to fill a void.
After being traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Washington Wizards in alternate for Kelly Olynyk, Wesley was purchased out and hit the open market. On Tuesday, he signed a one-year cope with the Blazers.
Whereas Sharpe, Vacation, Scoot Henderson, and Matisse Thybulle will doubtless slot in forward of him within the depth chart, Wesley is a confirmed ball-handler.
He was picked twenty fifth total by the Spurs within the 2022 NBA Draft and went on to common 4.3 factors and a couple of.4 assists whereas taking pictures 29.7% from deep. He’s very a lot a short lived resolution and might be changed by Lillard as soon as he recovers from damage in 2026-27.
“I understand how I’m going to method the entire rehab course of: taking my time,” Lillard outlined, suggesting that Wesley can have loads of time to show himself.
When he performed, Billups made two All-Defensive groups and is form of making an attempt to rebuild the Goin’ to Work Detroit Pistons of the 2000s within the Pacific Northwest. With an emphasis on being powerful and bodily, the Path Blazers are a staff quietly on the rise.
Whereas Wesley’s offense held him again in San Antonio–plus he performed behind Dejounte Murray, Chris Paul, and Tre Jones–he’s a pesky defender who can break up passing lanes and decelerate ball handlers.
The Blazers are usually not anticipated to make a lot noise within the West subsequent season, taking some stress away from Wesley whereas giving him possibilities to show himself.
With future Corridor of Famers like Vacation and Lillard within the locker room, Wesley may take a step in his growth.
“On daily basis in follow, simply being on this league and having a major function, it’s quite a bit to share,” Lillard defined, making it clear that he plans to be lively within the coaching services subsequent season as a instructor and de facto coach.
Wesley is holding onto his NBA desires by a thread, however landed in a spot with the Blazers that ought to enable him to play to his strengths.
