Reath proved his ability, he just needs more minutes

• Australian Boomers bronze medallist Duop Reath played 46 games off the bench in 2024-25
• Reath averaged 4.4 points in 10 minutes per game for the Portland Trail Blazers
• Reath had a season-high 17 points in 28 minutes against Sacramento

Australian centre Duop Reath needs more minutes and in the 2024-25 season he proved he's earned them.

But he wasn't used enough in the 36-46 Portland Trail Blazers rotation, averaging just over 10 minutes in a total of 46 games.

When the 206cm Reath, 28, did get in the game he was productive, showing glimpses of his unique skill set that makes him valuable in today's NBA.

The Aussie Big Man's Season at a Glance

The 2024-25 campaign proved Reath is a consistent contributor for the rebuilding Blazers.

When examining Reath's statistical output, several elements stand out. He averaged 4.4 points per game while shooting a respectable 41.1 percent from the field. Most notably, his three-point shooting — hitting 40 of 123 attempts (32.5 percent) — showcased his modern big man skill set. This floor-stretching ability has become increasingly valuable in today's NBA, where centres who can space the floor are at a premium.

On the glass, Reath collected 102 total rebounds across his 50 appearances, with his offensive rebounding (46) nearly matching his defensive boards (56). This nose for offensive rebounds, combined with his shooting touch, makes him a versatile option off the bench.

Path to Portland

Reath's career hasn't followed a conventional path. After going undrafted in 2018 following his senior year at Louisiana State University, Reath took the long road to the NBA, which included G-League stops to further develop of his game.

The bronze medal with the Australian Boomers team highlighted his international experience, which clearly helped prepare him for the NBA. He is under contract with Portland through 2026 (when he'll become a restricted free agent).

A Stretch Five Finding His Role

What makes Reath interesting is his playing style. At 206cm and 111kg, he possesses solid size for the centre position, but it's his shooting touch that separates him from many traditional big men. His willingness to launch from deep — attempting 123 three-pointers during the season — speaks to his confidence and the modern role he's carved out.

In a league increasingly valuing positional versatility, Reath represents the contemporary big man — one who can protect the rim defensively while stretching the floor offensively. This skill set allows coaches to deploy him in various lineups and matchups.

Season Highlights: Showing Flashes of Excellence

Several performances throughout the 2024-25 season demonstrated Reath's potential:

March 27, 2025 vs. Sacramento Kings: In his most productive scoring output, Reath delivered 17 points in 28 minutes off the bench, connecting on 3-from-7 from three-point range while adding five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Despite the loss, this performance showcased his offensive ceiling.

March 21, 2025 vs. Denver Nuggets: Contributing to a victory against the powerhouse Nuggets, Reath put together one of his most complete games with 12 points on efficient 6-from-8 shooting, seven rebounds, and four assists in 32 minutes.

March 3, 2025 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Reath's most efficient outing came in this win, where he scored 13 points on 5-from-6 shooting (including 3-from-4 from deep) while adding five rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks in just 18 minutes.

October 18, 2024 vs. Utah Jazz: Early in the season, Reath showed his defensive disruptiveness with 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals against the Jazz, hinting at the two-way potential he carries.

Areas for Growth

While Reath showed promise throughout the season, there remains room for improvement. His consistency wavered, with productive outings often followed by quieter performances given the difficulty of not getting consistent minutes.

His playing time fluctuated throughout the season, from DNPs (Did Not Play) to more than 30 minutes in certain contests. This inconsistency in role can make it challenging for a player to establish rhythm.

Fitting into Portland's Rebuild

The Trail Blazers find themselves in a rebuilding phase (again). Portland's willingness to provide opportunities to players allows Reath the chance to grow through game experience rather than just practice reps.

His skill set complements Portland's other young talent, providing floor spacing that allows guards to operate with more room in the paint.

A Modern Game for Modern Times

Reath's playing style reflects the evolution of the centre position in today's NBA. Gone are the days when big men were expected to plant themselves in the post and focus exclusively on interior play. Today's centres need to defend in space, make decisions with the ball, and increasingly, stretch the floor with perimeter shooting.

Reath's willingness to launch from deep — attempting 123 three-pointers across his 50 appearances — shows his comfort level operating away from the basket. His 32.5 percent conversion rate from deep is respectable for a centre and provides value to Portland's offensive spacing.

In his best stretch of the season (mid-March), Reath demonstrated his ceiling as a floor-stretching big. During a five-game span from March 17-27, he averaged 11.8 points while shooting 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from three-point range. This kind of perimeter production from the centre position forces defences to adjust their coverage and creates opportunities for teammates.

The Numbers Behind the Performance

Diving deeper into Reath's statistical profile reveals interesting patterns. His offensive rebounding rate (tracking nearly as many offensive boards as defensive ones) speaks to his activity level and nose for the ball. These extra possessions provide valuable second-chance opportunities for a Portland team that needed every advantage it could get.

His free throw shooting (83.3 percent on limited attempts) suggests his touch extends beyond the three-point line, hinting at potential scoring versatility if he can create more opportunities to get to the line.

One of the more telling statistics is that Portland went 17-33 in games where Reath appeared. While this winning percentage (.340) might not seem impressive, it actually exceeded the team's overall performance, suggesting his presence had a positive impact when he was on the floor.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for Reath?

As Reath prepares for the 2025-26 season, several factors will determine his continued development:

• ‍Role Expansion: Will Portland increase his minutes and responsibilities as he continues developing?‍
• Skill Refinement: Can he improve his three-point percentage to become an even more dangerous stretch option?‍
• Defensive Growth: Will his defensive awareness and positioning catch up to his offensive skill set?‍
• Consistency: Can he turn occasional standout performances into reliable production?

With Reath under team control through 2026, the Blazers have time to develop him further. If his progression continues on its current trajectory, he could emerge as more than just a rotation player — potentially becoming a valuable piece in Portland's future plans.