The Portland Trail Blazers quietly continue to shake up their preseason roster, and one of the most notable moves they recently made was waiving forward MarJon Beauchamp, who was signed to a training camp deal just last week.
Beauchamp signed a non-guaranteed camp contract with Portland, along with undrafted rookie forward Andrew Carr out of Kentucky and center Liam Robins, who was undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2023 and last played for the Bucks. All three have been waived by Portland, but could potentially wind up with the Blazers' G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.
One player expected to play for the Remix is former Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla. Portland signed Pedulla to an Exhibit 10 contract and then also waived him, which Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report notes is to set him up to join the Remix.
Who will fill Portland's final two-way spot?
Beauchamp appeared to be a prime candidate for a two-way deal simply because his draft pedigree suggested that there was untapped upside worth taking a chance on. He was a former first-round pick as the Milwaukee Bucks' No. 24 overall selection in 2022. He was a raw prospect entering the league, but someone who seemed worth taking a flyer on due to the risk-reward nature of a pick that late in the first round. Besides, Milwaukee, of all teams, knows how to evaluate these raw prospects, taking Giannis Antetokounmpo No. 15 overall back in 2013.
Unfortunately, the Beauchamp gamble didn't work out, as the Blazers are now the fourth team to move on from him after stints with the Clippers and Knicks. Although that doesn't appear to have worked out, Portland was wise to bring him in to give him a closer look.
One player who could earn a two-way contract is Javonte Cooke. After these moves, Cooke is the only training camp player remaining on Portland's roster. He's a Division II guard who went undrafted in 2023 and has spent three seasons in the G League. During his time in the G League, Cooke averaged 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, starting 55 of his 88 games played.
This was a lot to sort out, as is typically the case with preseason rosters. But the Blazers finally have clarity in terms of what direction general manager Joe Cronin wants to take the roster. Portland's 15-man roster has been full ever since they added Blake Wesley, but they have one final two-way spot remaining alongside Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love. Cooke will have the opportunity to earn that final spot, with his competition seemingly dwindling by the day.