The Trail Blazers are signing Branden Carlson to a one-year deal worth $2.5MM, Shams Charania reports for ESPN (via Twitter).
The 7’0″ center spent the first two years of his career with the Thunder, making 42 appearances for Oklahoma City this past season while averaging 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He has displayed the ability to function as a stretch big, knocking down 36.0% of his 86 three-point attempts in 2025/26.
Carlson is entering his third season and will join a full center rotation in Portland. The Blazers have Donovan Clingan, last year’s first-round pick Yang Hansen, and the recently extended Robert Williams all under contract heading into next year.
Williams’ playing time will likely be managed carefully though, as last season was his first time playing more than 35 games since 2021/22, while Yang is still developing for Portland, which could open up some minutes for Carlson.
Carlson’s contract figures to be a minimum-salary pact, since his minimum salary will be roughly $2.45MM. It’s unclear whether or not the deal will be fully guaranteed.
