The Portland Trail Blazers have waived guards Mark Sears and Barry Dunning, along with forward Keylan Boone. This roster trimming is a standard preseason move as the team prepares for the upcoming NBA campaign.
Portland's front office released three players from their training camp roster. The cuts included guards Mark Sears and Barry Dunning, and forward Keylan Boone. These decisions are common across the league at this time of year as teams work to get down to the regular season limit. Each player was likely on an Exhibit 10 contract, which often leads to a G League assignment if they clear waivers. The Blazers are clearly evaluating their depth and making tough choices about who fits their system.
Another notable player waived recently was former first-round pick Keon Johnson. Selected 21st overall in 2021, Johnson was cut by the Atlanta Hawks a day after signing an Exhibit 10 deal. While not a Blazers move, his situation highlights the competitive nature of final roster spots. Johnson's brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets last season showed flashes of potential, but securing a consistent NBA role has been difficult.
These roster decisions signal the start of Portland's serious preparation for the regular season. With a core group established, the focus shifts to fine-tuning the rotation and building chemistry.
Creating roster flexibility is always important. Waiving these players could open up a two-way contract spot or allow the team to scout other available talent. It also gives the remaining players on the bubble a clearer picture of the competition. Head coach Chauncey Billups now has a more defined group to work with in practice.
Portland enters this roster finalization phase with significant on-court confidence.
The team's identity is coming together at the right time.
The immediate next step is integrating the finalized roster through the remainder of the preseason. Coaches will drill defensive schemes and offensive sets with the players who made the cut. Management will also keep an eye on the waiver wire for any unexpected opportunities to bolster the team's depth, particularly for wing defense or shooting.
For the waived players, the hope is to land with Portland's G League affiliate or catch on with another organization. The Blazers' own focus now shifts completely to the regular season grind. Maintaining their recent offensive efficiency, which saw them top 127 points in two of their last five games, will be a major priority. The work done now sets the stage for their push when the real games begin. Fans can follow the upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
