Blazers' Jayson Kent Reveals 3-and-D Plan to Stick in NBA

Jayson Kent took one of the longest possible routes onto the Portland Trail Blazers' roster. Staying there might require him to become something much simpler … a 3-and-D wing. Kent went from a local tryout with the Rip City Remix to earning a spot with the team before signing a two-way contract with Portland in March. After spending his rookie season bouncing between the G League and NBA, the 24-year-old already knows what could determine whether his opportunity becomes something more. "I think it’s a great pathway," Kent told ClutchPoints. "It’s hard to come in and take NBA All-Star shots, so it’s all about what is the best way to fit into a role." For Kent, that role is pretty clear. "3&D is the best way to fit into a role. You buy into it and just excel in it and see where it goes from there. It’s definitely a great path to take to start off." He might already have half of the equation figured out. Kent emerged as a legitimate perimeter shooter with the Remix after never establishing himself as a consistent threat from deep during five college seasons. Now he wants Portland to notice the other half. "Just showing that I can guard one through five, be able to contain and navigate screens, and make winning plays," Kent said. "Of course, knock down shots, I think I do that pretty well and good enough. But honestly I want to show that I can guard all positions and make winning plays at the end of the day." Kent's unlikely route to Portland makes that pursuit worth watching. His two-way contract gives him an opportunity, though his place in the Blazers' long-term plans remains unsettled as Portland evaluates whether his G League production can translate into an NBA role. He's already made a compelling case at the level below. Kent appeared in 46 games for the Remix during his rookie season, averaging 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 49.6% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc. His postseason provided another glimpse. Kent scored 12 points with six rebounds as Rip City upset the No. 2-seeded Mexico City Capitanes in the opening round, then followed it with 24 points in a season-ending loss to the Stockton Kings. That season eventually led to his NBA opportunity. Portland signed Kent to a two-way contract on March 3, and he appeared in five games for the Blazers before the end of the regular season. Kent returned for Summer League, where his best performance came with 20 points and eight rebounds against the Orlando Magic. The offensive numbers will help his case, especially if the shooting improvement he showed with the Remix holds up. Kent also understands he can make himself useful without commanding much of Portland's offense. NBA rotations have room for players who defend, hit open shots and make winning plays without needing the ball in their hands. That's the role Kent is chasing. He isn't asking Portland to make him a star … he's trying to make himself difficult to cut.