Portland Trail Blazers Secure Duop Reath's $2.22M Contract for the 2025-26 Season
The Portland Trail Blazers have made some significant moves this offseason, and one of the key players set to be a part of the team's roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season is Duop Reath.
Reath, a 26-year-old centre who went undrafted out of LSU in October 2023, has been signed to a two-way contract by the Trail Blazers. This contract guarantee indicates the Blazers see him as a valuable contributor going forward.
Despite the addition of rookie centre Donovan Clingan and the departure of starting centre Deandre Ayton to the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the selection of a big man in the first round, Yang Hansen, by the Blazers, Reath is expected to have a secured spot on the team.
Reath's role may be as a reliable frontcourt reserve, supporting the team’s strategy of developing young players while maintaining competitive depth. In his career, he has shot 45.1% from the floor, 34.8% from deep, and 77.4% at the foul line. In 114 career NBA regular-season games (20 starts), he has averaged 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 14.8 minutes per contest.
Notable players on the Blazers' roster for 2025-26 include Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, and young talents like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, alongside Reath.
Jrue Holiday was originally traded to the Boston Celtics by the Trail Blazers in October 2023, but has since been acquired by the team this offseason. The Blazers have also signed guard Blake Wesley to a one-year, fully guaranteed contract.
Matisse Thybulle, who exercised his $11.55 million contract option for the 2025-26 season, was limited to 15 games in 2024-25 due to injuries. Thybulle underwent a procedure in October 2024 to address inflammation in his right knee.
Reath had a strong rookie season, averaging 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 35.9% from 3-point territory. He recorded a season-high 17 points in the game against the Sacramento Kings, shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
Although the team has added veteran stars and promising youngsters, Reath's guaranteed contract suggests he will play a role, likely as a depth frontcourt player providing energy, defense, and size. There have been no reports of Reath being involved in trade rumors, implying he remains part of the team's plans amid ongoing roster adjustments.
The Trail Blazers appear focused on balancing veteran leadership and youth development, which positions Reath as a valuable rotational piece rather than a core star. The team lost to the Sacramento Kings with a score of 128-107 on March 27, but with Reath and the rest of the roster, they are hopeful for a successful 2025-26 season.
Duop Reath, a rookie center, had a strong debut season in the NBA, recording impressive statistics and proving his value to the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the addition of veterans like Jrue Holiday and the signing of Blake Wesley, Reath's guaranteed contract suggests he will continue to contribute as a depth frontcourt player for the team in the 2025-26 season. His role may be to provide energy, defense, and size as the Blazers aim to strike a balance between veteran leadership and youth development, with the hope of securing a successful NBA season.
