The Portland Trail Blazers just made two league-altering trades in the span of five days, sending Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics, but general manager Joe Cronin also re-signed a guard who was a pleasant surprise down the stretch of last season for added depth in the backcourt.
Portland Trail Blazers re-sign guard Skylar Mays
In the wake of those two trades – and the expected rerouting of Malcolm Brogdon as well, who Portland acquired in the Holiday deal – the Trail Blazers brought back point guard Skylar Mays on a two-way contract.
Mays was signed to a 10-day deal at the end of last year and played surprisingly well, albeit while Portland was in total tank mode.
The 26-year-old played in six games for the Blazers, starting all of them, and averaging 15.3 points, 8.3 assists and 1.0 steal on 50/46/92 shooting splits. He played 31.5 minutes per game during his brief stint in Portland.
Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons will handle the majority of point guard duties for the Blazers this year, and Shaedon Sharpe should see plenty of time on the ball as well, but Mays is a solid add who got time in coach Chauncey Billups’ system and showed a bit of promise.
On a two-way deal, the former LSU star could also spend time with Portland’s new G League team, the Rip City Remix.
In related news, the Blazers signed and immediately waived guard Ashton Hagans, who was on an Exhibit 10 deal with Portland. Hagans will likely begin the regular season with the Remix.