Trail Blazers Signed Forward Branden Carlson
The 7-foot forward joins the Portland rotation following a season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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Portland Trail Blazers fans will see a new face in the frontcourt after the team signed forward Branden Carlson this past summer. The 7-foot, 220-pound player joins the roster following his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Why it matters
The signing adds depth to the Blazers frontcourt as the organization looks to solidify its bench. It remains to be seen how Carlson will integrate into the rotation and compete for backup minutes throughout the upcoming schedule.
Branden Carlson averaged 5.8 points and 3 rebounds over 42 appearances in the 2025-26 season. His role and total usage within the Blazers lineup are still being determined by coaching staff.
The players
Branden Carlson
A 7-foot forward who joined the Trail Blazers after a stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Portland Trail Blazers
The professional basketball team based in Portland that competes in the NBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The professional basketball organization where Carlson played during the 2025-26 season.
The details
Branden Carlson signed a standard NBA contract with the Trail Blazers during the summer of 2026. He previously played for the Oklahoma City Thunder after signing a two-way contract in November 2024. He will now compete for backup frontcourt minutes in Portland.
Timeline
Branden Carlson served a church mission in England from 2017 to 2019.
Carlson joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in November 2024.
The forward appeared in 42 games for the Thunder during the 2025-26 season.
The Trail Blazers signed Carlson during the summer of 2026.
Beyond the Bridges
This signing follows the established pattern of players transitioning from Two-Way deals to standard NBA contracts. The move highlights the league's ongoing reliance on developmental paths to fill out team rosters.
Blazers fans will get their first look at Carlson during rotation minutes in upcoming games at the Moda Center. Supporters should watch for how he fits into the team's defensive schemes under the basket.
The takeaway
Carlson provides new size to the Portland frontcourt following his experience in Oklahoma City. Keep an eye on his minute distribution as the coaching staff evaluates his impact during the regular season.
Further reading
For more on roster moves, visit the Basketball section.
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