The Portland Trail Blazers have quietly parted ways with Justin Minaya. He now lands with the Orlando Magic on an Exhibit 10 deal, giving him the opportunity to earn a two-way contract.
Portland had Sidy Cissoko, Bryce McGowens, and Minaya under two-way deals to finish out the 2024-25 season. They waived Taze Moore to clear room for Cissoko, who is the only one from that group returning for next season. Cissoko will be joined by Arizona guard Caleb Love as the other two-way player, with Minaya's departure leaving room for Portland to add one more to their roster.
Blazers move on from Justin Minaya
Minaya spent four years at South Carolina before transferring to Providence for his final collegiate season. He went undrafted in 2022 and ultimately wound up with the Blazers after stints with the Charlotte Hornets (Summer League) and Mexico City Capitanes (G League). Minaya was able to earn a two-way contract with Portland, so hopefully, history will repeat itself in Orlando. He'll be competing for a spot with Reece Beekman, Colin Castleton, and Lester Quiñones, who the Magic have also recently brought in.
Minaya's versatile defense is his standout trait. At 6-foot-5, he's able to effectively guard multiple positions, making him a switchable defender who is built for the modern NBA. The swing skill lies in the question marks surrounding his ability to space the floor. Minaya shot 32.1% from beyond the arc in the G League, and just 23.9% from that range in the NBA.
In his three seasons with the Blazers, Minaya averaged just 1.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. He's never going to be heavily relied on as a scorer or playmaker, so it's essential that he can provide value as a 3-and-D piece to stick around in Orlando.
He admittedly doesn't have an intriguing ceiling at 26 years old, but Orlando suddenly finds itself in a win-now situation. Due to unfortunate injuries, the Eastern Conference is wide open for the taking now more than ever. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic should be considered a true dark horse to come out of the East, as they have an underrated and ascending roster. Minaya's defense and immediate impact could be of value in such a situation.
On Portland's end, it remains to be seen what they will do with the final two-way spot. However, as a team that is still years away from a deep playoff run in the loaded Western Conference, it makes more sense for them to let Minaya pursue opportunities elsewhere while they continue to prioritize upside, which both Love and Cissoko possess.