When the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Rayan Rupert of the New Zealand Breakers with the 43rd pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, an interesting report popped up. Sources stated that once the second round had started and Rupert was still on the board, the had a guaranteed promise. In turn, it caused all the teams drafting in spots 31-42 to stay away.
Players drafted in the second round aren’t afforded the same luxury of guaranteed money as their first-round counterparts. Many get signed to G League deals
or two-way contracts, or just don’t stick at all.
The Blazers immediately offered Rupert the newly-established Second Round Pick Exception contract. Formally established in the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2023, this contract can be 3 or 4 years. It’s guaranteed with the last year a team option. Rupert’s contract was for 3 years and $5M. He makes $2.2M this year and will become a free agent this offseason. The Blazers have the option to extend a qualifying offer to him, making Rupert a Restricted Free Agent.
Early returns this season make a prognostication murky. In the 4 games out of 7 Rupert has played this season, he’s averaging 1.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assist, and 0.5 steals in 6.2 minutes. His best showing was in the tough win against the Jazz, when he logged about 14 minutes and put up a 3/3/2/2 line.
Rupert is blessed with great size for a wing. He measured in at 6’6” at the combine. The Blazers claimed he grew a full inch last year. His wingspan comes in at an ultra-rare, pterodactyl-like 7 feet, 3 inches, the same measurements as Kawhi Leonard.
As a rookie for the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL, Rupert jumped on the NBA radar as a skinny, rangy kid with an insane work ethic. He was a team-first defensive demon, who could handle some playmaking duties, but didn’t have a good aptitude for shooting or scoring. In February of 2023, Rupert was looked at as a first round pick in the 8-20 range. His lack of offense proved to be the weakness that knocked him out of the first round.
The Breakers’ owner, Matt Walsh said at the time that Rupert was the “hardest worker we’ve ever had.” His coach Mody Maor, said because of his defensive ability and work ethic, combined with his measurables, he would find himself in an NBA rotation eventually.
So here we are….three seasons in: an inch grown, and extensive experience in both the G and Summer Leagues. The Frenchman—often compared to Nicolas Batum for their long body frames and gliding movement, ability to make plays for others, and staunch defense—still can’t beat out two-way players Cidy Sissoko and Caleb Love for regular playing time.
Is it because of his shooting? He was atrocious as a rookie, but just going off small Summer League sample size, he showed noticeable improvement each year. His minutes this summer were 25.3 per game, down from 31.4 in 2024. Even with 6 fewer minutes per game and the main offensive focus, he was better across the board: Scoring 16ppg vs 12ppg. Rebounding 5.8 per game vs 4. Assists 3.2 to 3.
Rupert’s shooting was markedly different this summer though. As the top option this summer his shooting line was 58/64/100 versus 41/23/60 in 2024. His advanced stats: TS an absurd 76%, usage about the same (just over 18%), and a PER of 25.1.
He dominated his first Summer League game with a line of 23/9/4/2 in 23 minutes. Scoring at all three levels with an impressive 11-11 performance at the foul line.
Rupert’s dramatic improvement in efficiency and shooting after two summer leagues, G league, and experience with the varsity team have shown us a player exhibiting tangible growth. His offense seems to be catching up to his defense, at least in Summer League. Grain of salt. All of that.
What’s perplexing is Rupert looked ready to challenge for a rotation spot going into his third season. He’s still only 21.5 years old. With Scoot Henderson out indefinitely, and now Matisse Thybulle on the shelf again, I expected this would be the time we’d see Rupert get his opportunity. It may still happen.
Right now, though, he’s getting lapped by the two-way contract guys. One would imagine Rupert’s defensive versatility and effort would be enough to get him on the floor in this scheme. Aside from a couple of short hockey shift platoons, he’s been relegated to blowout duty. Obviously, the coaching staff feels he must be more of a liability on the floor, because he’s not getting any meaningful consideration.
Hopefully, we’ll get some quality minutes coming for him. The team has a decision to make with him this year, as to whether he stays or goes. The front office and its fans need a glimpse into what he truly is after making him a draft day target 2 years ago.
Will Rayan Rupert ever become a factor with the Blazers?
Let us know in the comments!
