Payton, who spent the last two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, is set to sign a three-year, $28 million contract with the Blazers, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears.
He was effective against some of the league's greatest big players, including MVP Nikola Jokic, and he added a bit more shooting to his offensive repertoire.
Payton has links to the Bay Area, having been born in Oakland to his father, Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton. He also has ties to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Payton was a point guard out of college, but he was employed more as a forward, and occasionally even a centre, with the Warriors since he spent much of his time at the dunker position.