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There's been one obvious sore spot on the Portland Trail Blazers' roster ... perimeter shooting.
Friday's move could eventually serve as a Band-Aid.
Portland signed former Boston Celtics guard John Tonje to a two-way contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Tonje appeared in six NBA games as a rookie after splitting time between the Utah Jazz and Celtics organizations.
At first glance, the move almost feels unnecessary.
But then you realize the only perimeter threats the Blazers will currently be adding to its young core are Damian Lillard, after missing nearly all of last season, and stretch big Micah Potter, who was picked up off waivers.
And of course ... the Blazers aren't exactly hurting for guards.
Lillard and Ja Morant are expected to headline the backcourt next season. Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday remain on the roster as well, giving Portland one of the league's deepest guard rotations.
So why another one?
Because this signing isn't really about adding another ball handler.
It's about adding another shooter.
With Wisconsin, Tonje emerged as one of the nation's top scorers. He averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the field during his lone season with the Badgers, earning AP Second-Team All-American honors.
It wasn't just a one-year college breakout, either.
Across 29 G League games last season, Tonje averaged 18.1 points while shooting 35.4% from three. Boston rewarded that production with a late-season call-up before giving him another opportunity in Summer League, where he averaged 14.2 points while shooting 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc.
That's what makes this signing intriguing.
Portland isn't evaluating Tonje based on six NBA appearances. It's betting on the scoring profile he's displayed everywhere else.
The obvious question is where he fits.
Portland's backcourt is already loaded. That's also what makes a two-way contract such a logical fit.
The Blazers aren't committing a standard roster spot to Tonje or asking him to immediately crack the rotation. Instead, they'll get an extended look at a proven scorer while maintaining roster flexibility.
Whether Tonje ever becomes part of Portland's long-term plans is almost beside the point.
The Blazers entered the offseason needing more shooting, and every significant move they've made since has reflected that reality. Potter stretched the frontcourt. Lillard adds another perimeter threat. Now Tonje gives Portland another accomplished scorer to develop.
The move may not generate many headlines today.
But it fits exactly what Portland has spent the entire summer trying to accomplish.
Continue reading...
Friday's move could eventually serve as a Band-Aid.
Portland signed former Boston Celtics guard John Tonje to a two-way contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Tonje appeared in six NBA games as a rookie after splitting time between the Utah Jazz and Celtics organizations.
At first glance, the move almost feels unnecessary.
But then you realize the only perimeter threats the Blazers will currently be adding to its young core are Damian Lillard, after missing nearly all of last season, and stretch big Micah Potter, who was picked up off waivers.
And of course ... the Blazers aren't exactly hurting for guards.
Lillard and Ja Morant are expected to headline the backcourt next season. Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday remain on the roster as well, giving Portland one of the league's deepest guard rotations.
So why another one?
Because this signing isn't really about adding another ball handler.
It's about adding another shooter.
With Wisconsin, Tonje emerged as one of the nation's top scorers. He averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the field during his lone season with the Badgers, earning AP Second-Team All-American honors.
It wasn't just a one-year college breakout, either.
Across 29 G League games last season, Tonje averaged 18.1 points while shooting 35.4% from three. Boston rewarded that production with a late-season call-up before giving him another opportunity in Summer League, where he averaged 14.2 points while shooting 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc.
That's what makes this signing intriguing.
Portland isn't evaluating Tonje based on six NBA appearances. It's betting on the scoring profile he's displayed everywhere else.
The obvious question is where he fits.
Portland's backcourt is already loaded. That's also what makes a two-way contract such a logical fit.
The Blazers aren't committing a standard roster spot to Tonje or asking him to immediately crack the rotation. Instead, they'll get an extended look at a proven scorer while maintaining roster flexibility.
Whether Tonje ever becomes part of Portland's long-term plans is almost beside the point.
The Blazers entered the offseason needing more shooting, and every significant move they've made since has reflected that reality. Potter stretched the frontcourt. Lillard adds another perimeter threat. Now Tonje gives Portland another accomplished scorer to develop.
The move may not generate many headlines today.
But it fits exactly what Portland has spent the entire summer trying to accomplish.
Continue reading...
