Story by
Former Utes standout Branden Carlson signs with Trail Blazers
- Story by
- Former Utes standout Branden Carlson signs with Trail Blazers
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Former Utah Utes standout Branden Carlson has found a new NBA home. The big man signed a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. This comes after the team traded for former All-Star Ja Morant in a blockbuster deal.
Carlson, who spent the past three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder , won an NBA championship with the team last year. He averaged 5.8 points and three rebounds per game last season. He'll make $2.5 million next season with the Blazers on a one-year deal.
Advertisement
After becoming a two-time All-Pac-12 talent at Utah, Carlson went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He originally signed with the Toronto Raptors , but that was short-lived before joining the Thunder on a two-way contract. Needless to say, Carlson has found his niche and the league. He loves being a spot-up shooter, which comes from his ability to stretch the floor.
He was one of the best prep stars coming out of the Beehive State before committing to Utah. The Bingham star led his team to a 5A state title a decade ago. He joined Utah after serving an LDS Mission and went on to set the Utes records for games played and blocks. Carlson was one of the oldest rookies in the NBA back in 2024 at the age of 24.
Carlson's move to the Pacific Northwest should be beneficial for him. He developed in the Thunder's system and has grown into a consistent role player off the bench. In Portland , who come in as part of the rebuilding process. His size will be a factor and gives the team a solid rim protector as a stretch four. Not to mention, he's good for quality minutes, which is something he wasn't necessarily getting a lot of in OKC.
Portland is not done making moves, and it will be very interesting to see how Carlson is positioned. The team resigned center Robert Williams III to a three-year, $44 million deal. Does Carlson slide over to forward next season? Also, the addition of Morant makes him the glue piece like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is right now for OKC. Blazers new coach Micah Nori will be tasked with putting together all the right pieces in his first season.
Advertisement
More Utah Utes News:
Steve Smith Sr. receives North Carolina's highest civilian honor
Where Utah ranked in Phil Steele's College Football preseason poll
How Utah made Kyle Whittingham college football's highest-paid coach at Michigan
