Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are signing free agent guard John Tonje to a two-way contract, agents George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Tonje, 25, spent most of last season on a two-way deal with the Jazz before being traded to the Celtics in February. Boston declined to extend him a qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
The 53rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft appeared in six games for Boston, averaging 2.5 points in limited action.
He was considerably more productive in the G League, averaging 18.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in 43 games between Salt Lake City and Maine. Tonje also shot 37.1 percent from three.
He continued to help himself at Summer League, averaging 14.8 points for Boston while shooting 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Portland has an available two-way spot, so no corresponding move is needed.
Rockets
The Rockets have signed free agent big man Oscar Tshiebwe, the team announced.
Terms weren’t disclosed, though the contract is likely non-guaranteed given Houston’s current roster and salary situation.
Tshiebwe, 26, has appeared in 49 NBA games with the Pacers and Jazz, averaging 7.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Rebounding has always been his calling card. Tshiebwe averaged a whopping 17.3 rebounds in 64 G League appearances over the past two seasons.
He also flashed that ability when given extended NBA minutes late last season, including a 22-rebound performance against the Grizzlies.
Houston already has 15 players on standard contracts and is hovering around the luxury-tax line, so Tshiebwe could be looking at a training-camp competition for a roster spot.
Pelicans
The Pelicans have officially signed rookie guard Jaron Pierre Jr. to a two-way contract, the team announced.
Pierre, the No. 58 overall pick in June, finished his college career at SMU after previous stops at Southern Miss, Wichita State and Jacksonville State.
The New Orleans native averaged 17.6 points and 4.9 rebounds for SMU last season while shooting 37 percent from three.
Pierre also appeared in three Summer League games for the Pelicans, averaging 10.0 points in 22 minutes.
He joins center Hunter Dickinson among New Orleans’ two-way players, leaving the Pelicans with one two-way opening.
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