Blazers back-up center Duop Reath remains a potential integral part of Portland’s crowded big man rotation, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.
The 6’11” big man is the only rostered Blazers center who’s a proficient three-point shooter. During his rookie season in 2023/24, the 28-year-old stepped up in the absence of an injured Robert Williams III, assuming primary reserve duties behind starter Deandre Ayton.
Across 68 contests (20 starts), Reath averaged 9.1 points on .461/.359/.742 shooting splits, along with 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 swipes a night. His 35.9% long range conversion rate arrived on 3.6 attempts, pretty good for a guy playing 17.9 minutes per bout.
Though Williams is hurt again, the former All-Defensive Second Teamer will likely still leapfrog Reath when healthy, as Portland no doubt hopes to find a new trade home for him at some point. Former Connecticut standout Donovan Clingan, the Trail Blazers’ prized lottery draft pick this summer, seems likely to earn some run, too.
“That’s the benefit of the team,” Reath said of the Portland centers’ various skillsets. “Everybody’s good at what they’re good at. (Clingan) is huge. Great rim protector. You’ve got me, who can stretch the floor a little bit. Everybody is just different. So, coach can use whatever he needs that game, that day.”
There’s more out of Portland:
- Speaking of Williams, the 6’9″ vet recently supplied an update on his Grade 1 left hamstring strain, suffered last week in a practice. Fentress adds in another piece that Williams is projected to return in two weeks, meaning he should be available around the start of the Trail Blazers’ season. He suited up for just six games last year, before undergoing a season-ending knee surgery in November. Fentress reports that Williams is partaking in some of the Trail Blazers’ training camp workload, though he is currently avoiding the tougher drills. “I feel good,” Williams said. “Working out a little bit more. Ramping up a little bit more.”
- Fourth-year Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is bullish on the team’s depth at the guard position, too, Fentress adds in a different article. Expected starting shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe incurred a shoulder separation and is set to miss the next four-to-six weeks, but Billups expects backups Scoot Henderson, Dalano Banton and training camp signee Devonte’ Graham to step up admirably. Anfernee Simons will be temporarily moved back to a shooting guard role on the squad while Sharpe recuperates. Fentress notes that, in the absence of Sharpe, both Banton and Graham are expected to start the year with Portland. Banton is on a partially guaranteed deal, while Graham’s contract is non-guaranteed. “He’s just such a hooper,” Billups said of Banton. “He’s just such a good basketball player.”
- In case you missed it, Billups is still wrapping his head around his impending enshrinement into the Hall of Fame this week.