Portland Signs Hyunjung Lee, Japan's Elite Three-Point Shooter

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed Hyunjung Lee to an Exhibit 10 contract for the 2026-27 season, according to the player's agency. The South Korean small forward will compete for a roster spot during the preseason camp.

What This Signing Means

As with recent cases like Tacko Fall or Nick Richards, the fine print defines the deal. An Exhibit 10 is a one-year agreement with no guarantees, designed primarily to give the player a spot in camp. Portland can convert it to a two-way contract if impressed, or release him without cost: in that case, the most likely path would be the Rip City Remix, their G League affiliate, where Lee would receive a bonus for staying the designated period.

In other words, he has an opportunity, not a guaranteed roster spot.

2025-26 Season Numbers

And he's earned that opportunity in spades. Last season with the Nagasaki Velca in Japan's professional league, he averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals, leading the competition in three-point percentage with an outstanding 47.9 percent and also in total makes with 187.

The season earned him All-League honors and the league's best three-point shooter award, plus the championship title and Finals MVP. In Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs, his best performance came against Utah: 22 points, five rebounds and four three-pointers.

That profile—a 6'7" small forward, 25 years old with elite shooting ability—is exactly what franchises look for at the end of a roster. The question, as always in these cases, is how that percentage translates to NBA pace and defensive intensity.

Why Portland, and a Historical Note

Lee had drawn interest from several teams and spoke with the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans, but chose the Blazers for the role and development plan they presented.

He developed at Davidson and went undrafted in the 2022 Draft after suffering a foot injury days before the ceremony. Since then he's played in the G League, Australia, and Japan.

If he makes his debut, he'll be the second South Korean to play an NBA game. The only one so far was Ha Seung-jin, who played for Portland between 2004 and 2006.