Duop Reath’s remarkable NBA rise has continued, with the Boomers big man signed on a new three-year contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
It is a well-deserved reward for Reath, who was initially signed onto a two-way deal by the Blazers after impressing in the 2023 Summer League, averaging 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games.
Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to carry three additional players along with the 15 on their regular season roster, often assigning them to their G League affiliate and calling them up if needed.
Reath though has established himself as a key part of Portland’s NBA rotation this season, starting 11 games and making a total of 40 appearances while averaging 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds.
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Two-way players are eligible to be active for up to 50 of their team’s 82 regular season games, meaning it was always going to be a strong possibility that he would have his contract upgraded.
Reath saw a more prominent role after Robert Williams III was ruled out for the rest of the season with a right knee injury in November.
The 27-year-old’s outside shooting, passing and floor spacing made him the perfect addition alongside regular starter Deandre Ayton, with the rookie shooting 38.5 per cent from downtown.
Sean Highkin reported on The Rose Garden Report that in recent weeks “there were questions about whether Reath and his representatives would be open to a multi-year deal”.
“He’s played well enough this season that he might have had a legitimate market around the league if he had hit free agency, and at 27 years old, this might have been his best chance for a real payday,” Highskin wrote.
That in itself spoke to Reath’s high level of play on both ends of the floor for Portland this season.
While that may have been the case, Reath was keen to stay put and his teammates made it clear on social media they were just as happy to see the rookie centre extend his contract.
Reath, who was born in South Sudan before his family moved to Australia, detailing his incredible journey to Trail Blazers and Boomers teammate Matisse Thybulle earlier this month.