Tonje's Two-Way Journey
Portland Blazers Sign John Tonje to Two-Way Deal, Focus on G League Development
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Key Points
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In Summer League with the Celtics, Tonje averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game, shooting 51.0% from the field and 45.2% from three, while showing on-ball defensive fluency and timely steals.
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Portland has already locked in three two-way slots for 2026-27, and Tonje will join guards Chris Youngblood and forward Jayson Kent; most of his development is expected to come with Portland's G League affiliate, Rip City Remix.
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Tonje’s pro résumé features extensive G League work: 32 games with Salt Lake City Stars and 11 with the Maine Celtics in 2025-26, averaging 18.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.7 APG in 31.3 minutes per game on 44% FG and 35.4% from three; he appeared in six NBA games for the Celtics after a February trade from Utah.
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Draft and college background: Tonje was the No. 53 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz; before entering the NBA, he played five college seasons at Colorado State, Missouri and Wisconsin.
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard John Tonje to a two-way contract, filling their third and final two-way roster spot for the 2026-27 season, according to Herald and News. Tonje, a 6-foot-4 guard drafted No. 53 overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA Draft, becomes Portland's latest backcourt addition after an impressive Summer League run with the Boston Celtics.
Tonje averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game in Summer League, shooting 51.0% from the field and 45.2% from three, per Yahoo Sports. He also showed sharp on-ball defense with timely steals, making a strong case for a roster spot heading into next season.
Tonje's Rookie Year: Three Teams, Two Leagues
Tonje's first pro season was anything but quiet. After the Jazz drafted him in 2025, he spent time with the Salt Lake City Stars and Maine Celtics in the G League, per Badger of Honor. Utah traded him to Boston in February, giving him a second NBA stop before this Portland deal made it three NBA teams in one calendar year.
In the G League, Tonje posted strong numbers across 43 total games. He averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 31.3 minutes, shooting 44.0% from the field and 35.4% from three. He also appeared in six NBA games for the Celtics after the trade from Utah.
Portland Locks Up All Three Two-Way Slots
Tonje joins guards Chris Youngblood and forward Jayson Kent as Portland's three two-way players for 2026-27, according to Herald and News. Two-way contracts let players split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate. Portland's G League team is the Rip City Remix, where Tonje is expected to see heavy development minutes.
The Blazers filled all three two-way spots, which is the league maximum. This gives Portland cost-effective depth while young players continue to grow, per Yahoo Sports. For Tonje, the two-way deal is his third such contract, a rare path that shows both his persistence and his potential.
Crowded Backcourt Limits Tonje's NBA Minutes
Getting NBA court time in Portland will not be easy for Tonje. The Blazers have a packed backcourt and wing rotation. Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Ja Morant, Shaedon Sharpe, and Deni Avdija all figure into the mix. That leaves little room for a two-way player to earn extended NBA minutes.
Still, Tonje's shooting and defensive versatility give him tools to compete. His Summer League efficiency — over 51% from the field and 45% from three — stands out, per Herald and News. Most of his reps will come with Rip City Remix, where he can sharpen his game ahead of a potential bigger NBA role down the line.
Five College Seasons Built Tonje's Pro Foundation
Before the NBA, Tonje took a long road through college basketball. He played five seasons at three schools — Colorado State, Missouri, and Wisconsin — before entering the 2025 draft, according to WMTV15 News. The extended college career helped him develop into a polished scorer and two-way threat.
His Wisconsin ties have drawn attention back home. WMTV15 News noted that Tonje's signing gives former Badger fans a player to follow in the NBA. Now 23, Tonje is betting that his scoring punch and defensive skills can eventually earn him a full NBA roster spot beyond the two-way level.
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