In a surprising move reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Portland Trail Blazers have reached an agreement with shooting guard Bryce McGowens on a two-way contract. The 21-year-old former Charlotte Hornets player is set to join the Trail Blazers’ roster for the upcoming season, adding depth to their backcourt.
McGowens, who spent his first two seasons in the NBA with the Hornets, has shown promise as a rotation piece for Charlotte. In his rookie year during the 2022-23 season, he appeared in 46 games, starting seven of them, and averaged 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 17.1 minutes per game. His shooting percentages stood at 39.6% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
Two standout performances towards the end of the 2022-23 season highlighted McGowens’ potential as a scorer. He dropped 22 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 9, 2023, and scored 20 points against the Toronto Raptors just five days earlier.
In his second season with the Hornets, McGowens saw an increase in starts (14), but his playing time dipped slightly to 14.9 minutes per game over 59 appearances. He improved his shooting numbers across the board, shooting 43.9% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 77.6% from the free-throw line while averaging 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.
The timing of McGowens’ signing couldn’t be better, as the Trail Blazers are about to kick off their 2024 Summer League campaign with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. With the Summer League serving as a platform for young players to showcase their skills, McGowens will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact and prove his worth to the coaching staff.
As a player on a two-way contract, McGowens will juggle responsibilities between the Trail Blazers and their G League affiliate team. The team already has guard Justin Minaya on a two-way deal, which presents a logjam at the guard and wing positions. With established players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, and Dalano Banton ahead of him in the rotation, McGowens will need to fight for playing time and prove himself in order to secure a spot on the roster.
The Trail Blazers’ decision to add McGowens on a two-way deal signifies their belief in his potential and the value he can bring to the team. As he embarks on this new chapter with Portland, McGowens will have to navigate the challenges of a competitive roster and earn his place among the team’s talented guards and wings.
