According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the NBA is now discussing adding a third two-way roster spot with the NBPA. This would bring the total roster size to 18, adding on one more player who can have a maximum of three years of NBA service and is limited to playing in 50 regular-season games. Speaking with coaches and GMs across the league, The Athletic found a mix of strong support and ambivalence over the measure after the league had to postpone 12 games in the past week. “Me personally, I think that’s a great idea,” said Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford. “I think that playing with the condensed schedule as we are, I think the more bodies we have, the better. If you look at the games where teams are having to play with eight guys, the number of minutes is adding up, and I just think it’s difficult. It’s difficult to manage games, and it’s difficult to manage teams over a prolonged period of time.”
NBA Rumor: Two-Way Contracts
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According to one Eastern Conference GM who spoke to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity, their support for the proposal comes under the expectation the league follows through on enforcing its increasingly restrictive COVID protocols. If they increase the size of the roster, that’s one more window for the virus to float through and take down the team.
Drew Shiller: Steve Kerr on the NBA possibly allowing teams to add a third two-way player: “I don’t know how it’s gonna play out. I would love to see our two-way players not limited to 50 games. I could have used Nico and Juan several times this year, but had to make them inactive.”
Wizards expected to add a third two-way player
League considering adding a third two-way contract slot
Adrian Wojnarowski: Significant discussion on league’s call with general managers today about expanding rosters by allowing a third two-way contract slot this season, sources tell ESPN. That’ll have to be worked out with NBPA, but there’s momentum toward it.
Pistons officially sign Frank Jackson to a two-way contract
James Edwards III: #Pistons announce that they’ve signed Frank Jackson to a two-way contract.
Pistons adding Frank Jackson
Eric Woodyard: The Detroit Pistons will sign Frank Jackson to a 2-way contract, according to a league source. Promising young guard is still only 22-years-old and has tremendous potential.
Kings announce Chimezie Metu's return
The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent center Chimezie Metu to a two-way contract, according to General Manager Monte McNair.
Kings to re-sign Chimezie Metu
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Kings are signing C Chimezie Metu to a two-way contract, source tells ESPN.
Warriors add Juan Toscano-Anderson
Shams Charania: The Golden State Warriors are signing forward Juan Toscano-Anderson to a two-way contract, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
JD Shaw: The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed Chris Chiozza to a two-way deal. Team also requested waivers on Jeremiah Martin.
Raptors sign Paul Watson to standard contract
The Toronto Raptors announced Sunday they have signed forward Paul Watson to a standard NBA contract and forward Yuta Watanabe to a two-way player contract. Watson originally signed a two-way player contract with the club Jan. 15, 2020. Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Watson, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, averaged 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.7 minutes in 10 games with Atlanta and Toronto last season. He set career highs with 22 points (8-13 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-3 FT) and six rebounds in 27 minutes in the regular season finale Aug. 14 vs. Denver. Watson also appeared in 30 games with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League where he averaged 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 35.3 minutes. For his efforts Watson was named to All-NBA G League Midseason Eastern Conference Team.
Nets convert Reggie Perry's deal to two-way contract
JD Shaw: The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the two-way player conversion option on forward Reggie Perry, the team announced.
Heat converts Max Strus to two-way deal
The Miami Heat’s roster was pretty much set entering training camp, with the regular-season maximum of 15 players already under standard contracts. But there was one Heat roster spot that remained unfilled: a two-way contract opportunity. The Heat awarded that open roster spot to wing Max Strus (6-5, 215), announcing Saturday that it converted his Exhibit 10 deal to a two-way contract. Strus joins guard Gabe Vincent as the Heat’s two two-way contract players entering Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Magic in Orlando.
Jordan McLaughlin re-signs with Minnesota
Shams Charania: Guard Jordan McLaughlin is signing a two-way deal (qualifying offer) to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. McLaughlin is betting on himself, will return to the market in 2021 free agency.
Two-way players are thus widely expected to stay predominantly with their N.B.A. teams in 2020-21 — which, of course, is one of the daunting variables that G League officials have to factor in as they continue to discuss the best format for their season.
Thunder adding Moses Brown and Josh Hall
Joe Mussatto: The Thunder has signed Moses Brown and Josh Hall to two-way contracts, per a team release.
Keith Smith: Per league sources, the New Orleans Pelicans have officially signed Naji Marshall to a Two-Way contract.
Barry Jackson: Per source, Heat will not field G-League team this year. G-League is expected to field teams in a bubble in an Atlanta suburb. Heat will not participate. Heat’s 2-way players (Vincent & likely either Eboua, Tyree, Strus or BJ Johnson) will stay with Heat, can play 50 games each
Keith Smith: Per league sources: The Detroit Pistons signed Louis King to a Two-Way contract. This will be King’s second year on a Two-Way with Detroit.
JD Shaw: The Mavericks have signed first-round pick Josh Green, who was drafted No. 18 overall. The team also signed Tyler Bey to a two-way contract.
The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Markus Howard to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today. Howard, 5-11, 180, went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft after a prolific four-year career at Marquette University. In 29 games (all starts) as a senior in 2019-20, Howard led the nation in scoring, averaging 27.8 points per game, adding 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 41.2% from three in 33.2 minutes. He was unanimously named to the 2019-20 All-America First Team.
Sixers add Dakota Mathias
Keith Smith: The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Dakota Mathias to a Two-Way contract.
Derek Bodner: Paul Reed, the 58th pick in the 2020 draft, is signing a two-way contract with the #sixers, per source.
Scott Agness: Free agent guard Brian Bowen has re-signed with the Pacers on a two-way deal. The Pacers have 19 of 20 training camp spots filled.
Olgun Uluc: Will Magnay is finalizing a two-way deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told ESPN.
Lakers re-sign Kostas Antetokounmpo
Harrison Faigen: The Lakers just re-signed Kostas Antetokounmpo to another two-way contract.
Tony Jones: Jarrell Brantley has signed a two way deal to return to the Utah Jazz, according to sources
Michael Singer: Nuggets make official what @denverpost had been reporting. Greg Whittington will be on a two-way contract with Denver. Deal was signed last night and finalized today.
Chris Kirschner: The Hawks have officially announced the signing of No. 6 pick Onyeka Oknogwu and No. 50 pick Skylar Mays and Nathan Knight. Mays and Knight will be on two-way contracts.
Shams Charania: Denver’s Bol Bol has agreed to a new two-year, $4.2M deal with the Nuggets, his agents Andrew Morrison and Sam Rose of CAA Sports tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Shams Charania: Nuggets convert Bol Bol’s two-way to a standard NBA deal and are excited about his development this upcoming season.
Michael Singer: League source confirms Bol Bol’s 2-year, $4.1 M deal, as @Shams Charania reported. As @denverpost first reported, Nuggets are converting Bol from a two-way contract.
Keith Smith: Per league sources: Jared Harper has signed his Two-Way qualifying offer with the New York Knicks.
Shams Charania: Former Pistons guard Jordan Bone has agreed to a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, source tells @The Athletic @Stadium.
Tacko Fall returns to Boston
Shams Charania: Free agent Tacko Fall has signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Marla Ridenour: League source confirms #Cavs have agreed to Exhibit 10 deal with former Michigan player Charles Matthews. Still working on confirmation of @Adrian Wojnarowski report of Damyean Dotson receiving 2-year, $4M deal from Cavs.
Spurs sign Keita Bates-Diop to a two-way contract
Vince Goodwill: Forward Keita Bates Diop agreed to a two-way deal with the San Antonio Spurs, per sources
Nuggets to waive Keita Bates-Diop
Michael Singer: #Nuggets will sign Isaiah Hartenstein, waive Keita Bates-Diop, convert Bol Bol from a two-way contract and that should finalize their roster, with Whittington and Howard as the two-ways, sources told @denverpost. denverpost.com/2020/11/22/nug…
Adrian Wojnarowski: Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon is returning to the San Antonio Spurs on a two-way contract, his agent Daniel Hazan tells ESPN.
Bobby Marks: Theo Pinson is signing a Two-Way contract with the New York Knicks, league sources tell ESPN.
Chris Haynes: Undrafted free agent forward Mamadi Diakite – out of Virginia – has reached an agreement on a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, his agent @Gary_Durrant tells Yahoo Sports.
Connor Letourneau: It’s becoming increasingly clear that there’s probably not going to be any room on the Warriors’ 15-man roster for Mychal Mulder and Juan Toscano-Anderson. They could be candidates for two-way contracts, though.
Brad Townsend: I’m told that Iwundu’s contract is guaranteed, and this source also confirmed my earlier report that J.J. Barea will be back, but this source is telling me the Mavs still have one more roster spot. I knew Bey and Hinton were on 2-ways, but I obviously need to redo my math.
Undrafted rookie Ty-Shon Alexander has signed a two-way deal with the Suns. He averaged a team-high 16.9 points for Creighton last season.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Breaking on @BonniesMBB: Free agent guard Jaylen Adams has agreed to a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, agent @MikeGTdot of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN.
Derek Bodner: #sixers announce that they have waived Norvel Pelle and Marial Shayok. Pelle was on a non-guaranteed NBA deal, and Shayok was on a two-way contract.
Heat two-way player Gabe Vincent has signed his qualifying offer, according to the team. The qualifying offer is a one-year, two-way contract with a $50K guarantee.
Shams Charania: Florida State point guard Trent Forrest is signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
In the last move of the night for Detroit, the franchise took Vanderbilt guard Saben Lee at No. 38. Per sources, the Pistons had a first-round grade on Lee. He’ll be on a two-way contract to start the year, sources said. Lee was described me to as the “new Jordan Bone,” who Detroit let go earlier this week. Lee, at 6-2, is considered one of the best athletes of the small guards in this class. When Aaron Nesmith got injured during the 2019-20 season, Lee blossomed, averaging nearly 22 points in his final 15 games and jumping onto the NBA radar. He declared for the draft after his junior year.
Shams Charania: Undrafted Butler guard Sean McDermott has agreed to a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Mark Berman: NBA source confirms the #Rockets reached an agreement on a two-way contract with undrafted free agent guard Mason Jones (@masonjones2) from @RazorbackMBB.
Shams Charania: Undrafted Butler guard Sean McDermott has agreed to a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Harrison Wind: Source: Nuggets are signing Markus Howard to a two-way contract.
Adrian Wojnarowski: UAB guard Nate Darling is signing a two-way deal with Charlotte, his agents Mike George and Nate Daniels of @OneLegacySports tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: French F Killian Tillie of Gonzaga is signing a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, his agent Andy Shiffman of @Priority Sports tells ESPN.
Shams Charania: Undrafted Kentucky guard Ashton Hagans has agreed to a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Nate Hinton has accepted a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks, according to his agent Tallen Todorovich. This was my Interview with the @UHCougarMBK star: bit.ly/32XJ3xH
James Edwards III: From what I’ve gathered, Detroit had a first-round grade on Vanderbilt’s Saben Lee and got him at 38. He’ll start on a two-way contract, per sources.
James Edwards III: The #Pistons will not extend a qualifying offer to two-way guard Jordan Bone, making him an unrestricted free agent, his agent Colin Bryant tells The Athletic.
Keith Smith: Per league sources: The Chicago Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to Two-Way player Adam Mokoka.
Second, the class is actually seen as relatively deep, with potentially strong role players having a real chance to sit around until midway through the second round. Why is that a problem? Because of the pandemic and the new economic reality for NBA teams, sources around the league think it’s likely that teams will try to utilize two-way contracts and stashes earlier in this draft than in recent years. Will players who think they are good enough to make teams out of training camp — and I do believe that there are a lot of them who should feel that way in this class — be willing to take two-ways? Or will some players choose to go undrafted — like Lu Dort and Terence Davis last season — in order to get to choose their spot and try to set themselves up for a bigger payday sooner?
The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Tyler Cook to a replacement two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.
There are new rules now saying players on two-way contracts are eligible to come to the bubble and also for postseason play. You fall in that category. Does it matter if you’re on a two-way or standard contract at this moment? Michael Frazier: Man, (I’m) just trying to play. I don’t really get caught up in that stuff because I feel like it’ll take care of itself. As long as I’m coming in every day, working hard and doing what the coaching staff and front office ask me to do, I think all that stuff will take care of itself. So I’m not really too caught up into that. I just want to make sure I’m ready to play when my number’s called and I can go out there and contribute and help the team win.
Nuggets adding Tyler Cook
Nick Kosmider: The Nuggets are expected to sign forward Tyler Cook to their open two-way spot, according to sources. Former Iowa standout was with Denver during Summer League.
Erik Horne: The Thunder are planning to sign Devon Hall to a two-way contract, league sources tell @TheAthletic . With Luguentz Dort signed to a multi-year contract this week, Hall fills the Thunder’s second two-way slot.
Jared Harper to Knicks
Shams Charania: Knicks have claimed two-way guard Jared Harper on free agency waivers and waived two-way guard Kadeem Allen, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
NBA transaction window to include all 30 teams
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: The NBA’s “transaction window” starting around June 22 will include all 30 teams — not just the 22 returning to play in Orlando. Teams will be allowed to covert two-way players into NBA contracts and sign eligible free agents for the rest of season.
Erik Horne: Presti on if it was his intent to sign Dort to full NBA contract: “He’s clearly someone we want going forward. That could be something that happens in the short term or later. I don’t know. But we’ll look for ways to make that happen.”
Brandon Rahbar: Presti on Dort’s contract: “We are still awaiting clarity on that. Clearly that’s something we’re focused on. We have plenty of time before we head to Orlando.”
Though players on two-way contracts aren’t eligible for postseason, it’s possible the NBA could change that this year because of the pandemic. According to a source, that has been discussed inside the NBA Players union. If that happens, Gabe Vincent and Kyle Alexander would suddenly become options if the Heat loses a handful of players when play resumes.
The Heat has rights to both Vincent and Alexander this summer. Miami can convert their two-way deals into regular contracts or offer them another two-way deal during the offseason or preseason. The hope is that each will join the long list of Heat development success stories, including Udonis Haslem, Ike Austin, Voshon Lenard, Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn and others. Ideally, Okpala and Silva — and Vincent and Alexander if two-way players are eligible to play in Orlando — would be able to observe in postseason.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke of a possible return once there’s an “all clear” from public health officials, according to ESPN. If and when that happens, the Nets would likely want to use Chiozza in the playoffs, but to do so they’d have to convert him from a two-way player to a standard NBA deal. That would necessitate creating a roster spot for the 24-year-old, which would require waiving somebody. Pinson would be the most likely casualty, a tough one for the immensely popular second-year pro from North Carolina.
Suns waive Jared Harper
The Golden State Warriors have signed Ky Bowman, Marquese Chriss and Juan Toscano-Anderson to contracts, the team announced today.
Bobby Marks: Golden State is signing Marquese Chriss to a two-year contract, league sources tell ESPN.
Wes Goldberg: The Warriors anticipate to convert Marquese Chriss from his two-way contract to a standard one soon, per a league source.
January 22, 2021 | 1:06 pm EST Update
Gordon Hayward: 'Atlanta was a team that I was really interested in'
As far as the teams that it really came down to — and we mentioned the Atlanta situation — who all did it really come down to? Gordon Hayward: Yeah, Atlanta was a team that I was really interested in. I think they’re another group of guys who are obviously young but extremely talented and you saw the additions that they added in the offseason. I think they’re a great basketball team. Clearly, Trae Young is an extremely talented player and somebody they’re going to rely on. So being able to play with him, and play with some of their other young players was really enticing, so they were in the mix. New York was in the mix — the Knicks. Indiana was another team that was really interested, and we had mutual interest for a while. Boston was — like, let’s not forget about Boston. I really wanted to go back to Boston too. There were just a lot of options and a lot of potential teams that I could go to, but I’d say those were the main ones. Atlanta, New York, Boston, Indiana, and then Charlotte obviously.
Gordon Hayward: As far as the basketball is concerned, I think the opportunity to go somewhere, get a fresh start, be in a position to try to maximize my potential as a basketball player, I think, going somewhere where I’d have the ability to try and help a franchise get to that next level, it grew on me more and more after talking to the coaching staff, talking to the front office, obviously talking with my agent and my wife and family. That challenge kind of resonated with me. Talking with (Hornets) coach (James) Borrego, and more and more it was like, ‘Man, this is something I think I really want to do,’ so we just went with it.
A Hornets source said the team had been well aware of the procedure during free agency and was completely comfortable with Hayward’s medical status (per league rules, he had to pass a physical before signing). “Imagine just having a constant burning sensation in your foot,” Bartelstein said of the condition. “It’s like having a rock in your shoe all the time. (Morton’s Neuroma) is a simple procedure they’re able to do that removes that nerve so you’re not feeling that burning sensation. It’s made a world of difference.”
When did you start having confidence that — forget about the public narrative — that the league itself still valued you to this degree? Gordon Hayward: Well, you know that’s why you hire an agent. That’s why I think Mark (Bartelstein) is the best in the business, and I let him do his thing with going out and finding out what teams were interested, what was going to be available financially, where maybe the best basketball fit for me would be, where my family would be happiest. All of that stuff goes into it. So that’s when I’m talking with Mark every day about those types of things, and it was something that was unlike any other free agency just with the timing of it. Free agency starts, and it’s like, ‘Boom, all right, now let’s make a decision.’ There just wasn’t any time. It all happened super, super fast.
It’s still early in the year, but it’s been a successful start for Wood’s Rockets tenure, one that is more impressive given the wild and crazy start the team has had in 2020-21. He’s averaging All-Star numbers — 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 36.2 percent from 3 on 4.8 attempts per. Wood is second in roll possession per game and leads all players in points, according to tracking data from NBA.com. At the beginning of the season, Silas acknowledged that Wood’s defense would be a process. There were some early moments when Wood failed to assert himself in the middle of the floor and his teammates discussed the importance of him becoming a more vocal leader and an enforcer in the paint.
Caruso is shooting a team-best 57.1%, second-best in the NBA, from three-point range, a major improvement from maybe the most glaring hole in his offensive repertoire. “I don’t know if the championship has given me more confidence or just the time I’ve spent in this system with this team, knowing where I’m going to get shots, knowing how we like to play. I’m just really comfortable with that,” he said. “We really haven’t changed too much from last year as far as our base offense and defense goes. I’m pretty comfortable with that. And I just work. I just continuously work and work and work.”
Entering Thursday’s games, Thybulle was second in the NBA in steals per 100 possessions with 4.4, according to basketball-reference.com. (Former Sixer T.J. McConnell, now with the Indiana Pacers, was first.) Thybulle was also 22nd in the NBA in blocked shots per 100 possessions with 2.5. Thybulle has contributed more than steals and blocks, though. Wednesday, Thybulle came off the bench to face what had been a hot Kemba Walker. According to NBA.com stats, Walker shot just 1-for-5 in the head-to-head matchup against Thybulle, including 1-for-3 from three-point range.
