The Portland Trail Blazers exercised the 2025-26 team option on the contract of guard/forward Rayan Rupert, the Blazers announced Sunday.
The 6-foot-6 Rupert, who just ended his second season with the Blazers, will make $2.2 million next season.
Rupert averaged 8.8 minutes in 52 appearances last season. He scored 3.0 points per game with 1.3 rebounds, shooting 40.8% from the field and 27.1% from beyond the arc (16 of 59).
The Blazers selected Rupert in the second round (43rd pick) of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Sunday is the last day teams can exercise player options and receive qualifying offers.
Free agent negotiations can begin at 3 p.m. Monday. The free agency moratorium begins at 9:01 a.m. ET
That’s when restricted free agents, such as forward Jabari Walker and guard Bryce McGowens, can sign an offer sheet.
Guard/forward Dalano Banton is an unrestricted free agent.
Free agency officially begins on July 6. That’s when contracts can be signed and trades can be formally announced.
The Blazers won’t have the cap space to do much in free agency, but they could remain active in the trade market.
The Blazers have already agreed to a trade that sends Anfernee Simons and two future second-round picks to the Boston Celtics for guard Jrue Holiday.
That deal can be announced on July 6.
The Blazers are over the salary cap but will have mid-level exceptions they could use.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)