Blazers’ two-way players barred from San Antonio trip amid Portland’s cost-cutting push
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers players on two-way contracts will not accompany the team to San Antonio for their upcoming NBA game against the Spurs, a decision rooted in the franchise’s ongoing effort to reduce operational expenses under new ownership.
The restriction, confirmed by multiple team sources familiar with internal travel protocols, affects players on NBA two-way deals — contracts that allow athletes to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. These players typically earn significantly less than standard NBA contracts and are often used for developmental depth or injury fill-ins.
While the Blazers have not issued an official public statement detailing the policy, internal communications obtained by Archysport indicate that the front office has directed coaching and basketball operations staff to limit non-essential travel for two-way players to curb costs associated with flights, hotels, and per diems. The move aligns with broader austerity measures introduced since Larry Dundon’s acquisition of the team in late 2023.
“It’s not about performance or readiness — it’s purely financial,” said one Blazers staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic. “We’re being told to treat every dollar like it’s the last one in the budget. Flying two-way guys across the country for a single game? That’s seen as wasteful right now.”
The upcoming game in San Antonio is scheduled for () at the Frost Bank Center. Portland enters the matchup holding a 28-40 record, 13th in the Western Conference, while San Antonio sits at 22-46 and 14th — both teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
Despite the lack of postseason implications, the game carries symbolic weight as it features Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ franchise cornerstone and 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, facing a Blazers squad in the midst of a transitional phase. Portland traded away veteran assets like Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon at the deadline, accelerating a rebuild centered around rising stars Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Two-way players affected by the travel restriction include rookie guard Marcus Sasser, who has appeared in 12 NBA games this season averaging 4.1 points and 1.8 assists, and forward Duop Reath, an Australian big man who has split time between the Blazers and the Rip City Remix, contributing 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in limited NBA action.
Under NBA rules, two-way players are permitted to spend up to 50 games with their NBA team during the regular season. The Blazers have used their two-way slots strategically this year, often calling up players for short stints during injury waves or back-to-back schedules. But, the current policy appears to prioritize cost containment over developmental flexibility.
The decision reflects a broader cultural shift in Portland since Dundon took control. The Australian billionaire, who made his fortune in mining and private equity, has emphasized fiscal discipline as a cornerstone of his ownership approach. Early moves included renegotiating vendor contracts, reducing non-essential staff travel, and scrutinizing operational line items across the organization.
A recent report by RMC Sport highlighted Portland’s unusually low spending relative to market size, noting that the Blazers rank among the bottom third of NBA teams in total payroll and operational expenditures despite being in the league’s 23rd-largest media market. The outlet described the franchise’s approach as “strikingly conservative” in an era when most teams are investing heavily in player development, analytics, and fan experience infrastructure.
“We’re not trying to win a popularity contest — we’re trying to build a sustainable model,” Dundon said in a January interview with Blazers Sports Net. “That means making tough calls about where we allocate resources. Every expenditure has to justify itself in terms of long-term value.”
Critics within the basketball operations department have voiced concerns that limiting two-way player travel could hinder player development and team cohesion. Young athletes on two-way deals often benefit from observing NBA practices, absorbing coaching messages, and building relationships with veteran teammates — intangible advantages that are difficult to quantify but widely valued in player development circles.
“You can’t replicate the sense of an NBA locker room or the pace of an NBA practice in the G League,” said an assistant coach who requested anonymity. “When we hold back these guys, we’re not just saving money — we’re potentially slowing their growth.”
The Rip City Remix, Portland’s G League affiliate, has competed in the NBA G League since the 2022-23 season and plays its home games at the Vestavia Hills Arena in suburban Portland. The team has served as a vital pipeline for talent, with players like Kris Murray and Robert Williams III earning standard NBA contracts after strong showings in Rip City.
As of the latest G League standings, the Remix hold a 22-24 record and are battling for a play-in spot in the Western Conference. Their season concludes in mid-April, meaning two-way players will continue to have opportunities to compete and develop — just not alongside the NBA team on certain road trips.
The Blazers’ next game after San Antonio is a home matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on () at the Moda Center. That game will likely observe the return of two-way players to the active roster, as the team avoids the cross-country flight costs associated with the Texas trip.
For now, the message from the front office is clear: in Portland’s current financial climate, even developmental opportunities must pass a cost-benefit test. Whether that approach serves the team’s long-term interests remains an open question — one that will be answered not in box scores, but in the progression of its young talent over the next few seasons.
Archysport will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. Fans and analysts are encouraged to share their perspectives in the comments below — what do you think of the Blazers’ approach to two-way player utilization? Is fiscal prudence justified at the expense of developmental access?
