Seeking floor-spacing depth after Mark Williams’ surgery, Phoenix bets on the rebounding big man's elite perimeter shooting to spark a comeback following his injury-shortened stint in Portland.
Seven months after the Portland Trail Blazers traded Duop Reath while he was recovering from season-ending foot surgery, the 30-year-old center has another NBA job — and he reportedly had options.
The Phoenix Suns are signing Reath after center Mark Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and was ruled out for several months, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
For Reath, it is a legitimate chance to reestablish himself after an abrupt end to his three-year run in Portland.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that Reath received several offers before agreeing to a one-year veteran minimum deal with Phoenix.
That part is worth noting considering how little Reath played during his final season with the Blazers.
He appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per contest. His role had shrunk dramatically, yet Reath still shot 41.8% from 3-point range.
That shooting quickly became one of Reath’s most useful traits in Portland.
As a 27-year-old rookie in 2023-24, Reath appeared in 68 games and made 20 starts. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds while connecting on 35.9% of his 3-pointers on 3.6 attempts per game.
His role declined over the next two seasons before a stress fracture in his right foot required season-ending surgery in January.
Portland then traded Reath and second-round picks in 2027 and 2030 to Atlanta for Vít Krejčí. The Hawks waived Reath four days later, ending his time with the organization before he ever appeared in a game.
There is little reason for Portland to second-guess that deal. Reath was injured, had fallen out of the regular rotation and became part of a package that brought Krejčí to Rip City.
His latest opportunity still says plenty about why Reath lasted three seasons in Portland after breaking into the NBA so late.
Reath played 146 games for the Blazers and shot 35.7% from deep across his NBA career. At 30, he does not need 25 minutes per night to have value. Centers who can drag opposing bigs away from the rim will continue to get looks.
Phoenix suddenly needed another one. Reath had a skill worth calling about.
His Portland tenure ended with surgery and a deadline trade. Seven months later, that same floor-spacing ability has given him another chance to stick in the NBA.
