Category: Portland Trail Blazers Blog

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Trail Blazers hire Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming as assistant coaches

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming as assistant coaches on Head Coach Chauncey Billups’ staff.

During the 2023-24 season, Bjorkgren served as a Special Assistant to the Coaching Staff for the Trail Blazers. Prior to this past season, Bjorkgren served an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors (2021-23, 2018-2020) and was the head coach of the Indiana Pacers for the 2020-2021 season. A professional basketball coach of 17 years, Bjorkgren’s first NBA coaching job came as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns (2015-17).
A native of Storm Lake, Iowa, Bjorkgren began his professional coaching career with the Iowa Energy (2007-2011) of the NBA G League as an assistant coach, helping the team win a championship in 2010-11 before becoming the head coach of the Dakota Wizards prior to their move to Santa Cruz. The Warriors appeared in the Finals in their first season in Santa Cruz under Bjorkgren during the 2012-13 season. Bjorkgren also had NBA G League head coaching stops with the Iowa Energy (2013-14) and Bakersfield Jam (2014-15).

Fleming spent the last five seasons (2019-2024) as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls and will be entering his 10th season as an NBA Coach. Prior to Chicago, Fleming spent three seasons (2016-19) as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets, helping the team improve its win total each season. Fleming’s NBA coaching career began with the Denver Nuggets in 2015-16.

The Forked River, NJ, native served as a head coach in Germany for 14 years where he spent eight seasons (2000-08) with QSTV/Artland Dragons in Quakenbrϋck and six seasons (2008-14) with Brose Baskets Bamberg, where he led Brose Baskets to four German League championships and was named the German League Coach of the Year in 2011. During his time in Germany, Fleming captured four Germany Cup championships along with three German Supercup championships and spent three seasons (2014-18) coaching the German national team.

Trail Blazers sign Ashton Hagans to two-way contract

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Ashton Hagans to a two-way contract.

Hagans previously signed a 10-day contract with Portland on Feb. 8.

Hagans has recorded 2.8 points (41.7% FG, 50.0% FT), 1.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 14.9 minutes per game in four games (one start) with the Trail Blazers this season. In 29 games (25 starts) with the Rip City Remix during the 2023-24 NBA G League regular season and Showcase Cup, he posted 13.3 points (45.2% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 78.3% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. Hagans competed in this year’s NBA G League Up Next Game at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis after receiving the most fan votes. He previously appeared in two games with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-way contract in 2021 and holds NBA career averages of 1.8 points (41.7% FG, 50.0% FT), 0.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 10.6 minutes per game in six games (one start).

Celtics trade Dalano Banton to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Dalano Banton and cash considerations in a trade with the Boston Celtics for a protected second-round draft pick.

Banton has recorded 2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 7.1 minutes per game in 24 games (one start) with Boston this season. He has also appeared in two NBA G League games (two starts) with the Maine Celtics this year, posting 29.5 points (43.5% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 64.3% FT), 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in 34.8 minutes per game. In 119 career games (four starts) in one season with Boston and two seasons with Toronto, he has accrued career averages of 3.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 9.6 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers sign Ashton Hagans to 10-day contract

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard/forward Ashton Hagans to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

In 29 games (25 starts) during the NBA G League regular season and Showcase Cup, Hagans has averaged 13.3 points (45.2% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 78.3% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. He currently ranks second in the G League in total assists (144), second in assists per game (9.6) and tied for 11th in total steals (27) for the regular season. On Jan. 29, Hagans was selected to compete in this year’s NBA G League Up Next Game at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, receiving the most fan votes. He previously appeared in two games with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-way contract in 2021.

Damian Lillard open to eventual return to Trail Blazers

Per ESPN.com:

And while Lillard emphasized his commitment to the Bucks, he also left the door open to a potential return to the franchise that drafted him before his career is over.

“Because of how I feel about Portland,” Lillard said. “How I feel about the organization here and my time that I spent here, in my mind I’ve always felt like that’s how my career would end.

“Right now, I’m just in a space of like, this is where I am now. I’m in Milwaukee. I wanted the opportunity to contend and our team has an opportunity to contend for this year and years to come and I’m just living in that. But I definitely, when I was traded, I see a day where I’ll be in a Trail Blazer uniform again before I’m done.”

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Trail Blazers waive Skylar Mays and Ish Wainright

The Portland Trail Blazers have waived guard Skylar Mays and forward Ish Wainright, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

In 21 games (five starts) during the 2023-24 season, Mays averaged 6.3 points (38.4% FG, 28.6% 3-PT, 76.5% FT), 1.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 17.0 minutes per game for Portland.

Wainright appeared in seven games this season for the Trail Blazers and averaged 2.9 points (33.3% FG, 37.5% 3-PT, 2-2 FT), 1.9 rebounds and 6.4 minutes per game.

The Trail Blazers are in rebuild mode and at 9-25 have the second worst record in the Western Conference. They have a slightly below average defense, while their offense has been one of the least efficient in the league this season.

Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant placed in concussion protocol

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Grant left Saturday night’s game at Utah during the fourth quarter and did not return.

Per the NBA’s Concussion Policy, Grant will now begin the NBA-mandated Return-to-Participation Protocol. This process includes a series of steps designed to ensure an athlete exhibits symptom-free behavior before resuming basketball activities. There is no predetermined timetable to complete the protocol, as each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case.

Trail Blazers re-sign center Ibou Badji to two-way contract

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed center Ibou Badji to a two-way contract.

Earlier today, the team waived two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea.

Bouyea appeared in six games for the Trail Blazers and two games for the Rip City Remix this season.

In six games this season with the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, Badji has averaged 3.5 points (71.4% FG, 33.3% FT), 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 15.3 minutes per game. During the 2022-23 season, he posted 7.4 points (61.8% FG, 66.7% FT), 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 blocks in seven games (all starts) for the Herd prior to signing with the Trail Blazers. A native of Senegal, he also played for the country in the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup and averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in seven games.

Badji originally signed a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers on Nov. 18, 2022. He was re-signed on July 6, 2023 and later waived on Oct. 24, 2023.