Overview
- The Blazers agreed to a two-way deal for John Tonje, a move reported by ESPN via his agents on Friday that gives Portland a cost-controlled player who will split time between the NBA roster and the G League.
- Tonje raised his stock in five Summer League games in Las Vegas where he averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and shot 45.2% from three-point range while earning praise for his defense.
- Boston did not extend Tonje a qualifying offer earlier in July, which made him an unrestricted free agent and opened the door for Portland to sign him after his Summer League performance.
- Tonje was the No. 53 pick in the 2025 draft, spent last season mostly on two-way duty in the G League with Salt Lake City and Maine where he averaged about 18 points per game, and made six brief NBA appearances for Boston.
- Portland fills its depth and perimeter-shooting needs with Tonje while preserving roster flexibility, and the signing continues the common NBA path of using two-way deals to develop low-cost, high-upside players.