Report: Portland Trail Blazers elect not to waive Will Barton
In a move that secures depth, the Portland Trail Blazers have decided not to waive third year shooting guard and 2012 NBA draft pick Will Barton.
"The third year of his rookie contract became fully guaranteed on July 25 since the team elected not to waive him by that date, we’re told. This decision comes as no surprise. Barton will earn a little over $900,000 for the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season.“It just shows that there’s more work to be done,” Barton told CSNNW.com. “I’m thankful for the opportunity the [Trail] Blazers have given me and now I’m just looking forward to training camp and getting better with my teammates.”"
A noted scorer coming out of college, Barton has shown bursts of promise during his NBA career. Following last years All-Star game, the then-second year shooting guard saw an increase in minutes, from 4 per game to 12, and in that time he produced, averaging 5.3 points on 42 percent shooting as well as 2.4 rebounds per game.
While Barton has been secured a roster spot, there is no guarantee that he is a rotation player for the 2014-15 season. In free agency, the Blazers have added veteran combo guard Steve Blake to a backcourt that includes Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Allen Crabbe, and their 2013 lottery pick in C.J. McCollum. Of this group, both Crabbe and Barton look to be the odd men out unless an injury creates minutes in their favor.
Barton was drafted 40th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.