Portland Trail Blazers sign former first-round pick while Damian Lillard recovers, ‘it’s a lot to share…’

In the final 15 games of last season, the Blazers boasted the ninth-best defensive rating and went 8-7. Between Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, and Donovan Clingan, they are trying to reinvent themselves as a defensive juggernaut. Holiday undoubtedly helps with that, and Lillard’s mentorship should also see the team improve.

With Lillard out all of next season with a torn Achilles, the Trail Blazers signed a depth piece to fill a void.

Blake Wesley joins Trail Blazers as stopgap guard

After being traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kelly Olynyk, Wesley was bought out and hit the open market. On Tuesday, he signed a one-year deal with the Blazers.

While Sharpe, Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Matisse Thybulle will likely slot in ahead of him in the depth chart, Wesley is a proven ball-handler.

He was picked 25th overall by the Spurs in the 2022 NBA Draft and went on to average 4.3 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 29.7% from deep. He is very much a temporary solution and will be replaced by Lillard once he recovers from injury in 2026-27.

“I know how I’m going to approach the whole rehab process: taking my time,” Lillard outlined, suggesting that Wesley will have plenty of time to prove himself.

Wesley should fit well with Portland’s new identity

When he played, Billups made two All-Defensive teams and is sort of trying to rebuild the Goin’ to Work Detroit Pistons of the 2000s in the Pacific Northwest. With an emphasis on being tough and physical, the Trail Blazers are a team quietly on the rise.

While Wesley’s offense held him back in San Antonio–plus he played behind Dejounte Murray, Chris Paul, and Tre Jones–he is a pesky defender who can break up passing lanes and slow down ball handlers.

The Blazers are not expected to make much noise in the West next season, taking some pressure away from Wesley while giving him chances to prove himself.

With future Hall of Famers like Holiday and Lillard in the locker room, Wesley could take a step in his development.

“Every day in practice, just being in this league and having a significant role, it’s a lot to share,” Lillard explained, making it clear that he plans to be active in the training facilities next season as a teacher and de facto coach.

Wesley is holding onto his NBA dreams by a thread, but landed in a spot with the Blazers that should allow him to play to his strengths.