Bill Oram: The Lakers are already out here making moves. They waived Travis Wear (previously on 2-way deal) to sign undrafted rookie Johnathan Williams to 2-way. With apologies to Kyle Kuzma, Williams was the Lakers best small ball center in the preseason.
Storyline: Two-Way Contracts
310 rumors in this storyline
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Mike Bresnahan: Lakers sign Johnathan Williams to a two-way contract and waive Travis Wear. Williams, a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Gonzaga, averaged 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in six pre-season games with the Lakers before becoming the last roster cut.
Scott Agness: The Pacers waived C.J. Wilcox (torn right Achilles) and signed 6-6 guard Davon Reed to a two-way contract. He was a final camp cut by the Suns. They have 17 players under contract, including two two-way deals.
Michael Scotto: Forward Troy Williams is planning to sign a two-way deal with the Sacramento Kings, league sources told The Athletic. Williams was waived by the Pelicans and still needs to clear waivers.
Pacers adding Davon Reed
Adrian Wojnarowski: Guard Davon Reed is planning to sign a two-way deal with Indiana, league sources tell ESPN. Reed was waived on a guaranteed contract with the Suns and still needs to clear waivers today. Reed was the 32nd pick in 2017 Draft out of Miami.
Rod Beard: A league source confirms that the #Pistons have converted undrafted rookie wing Zach Lofton to a two-way deal and have released Reggie Hearn.
Kelly Iko: The Houston Rockets will convert undrafted forward Gary Clark’s deal to a two-way contract, per his agent @austingwalton. He will have a chance to contribute right away, until the start of the G-League season on November 2.
KC Johnson: Confirming that Tyler Ulis’ contract can become 2-way deal, which @Shams Charania 1st reported. Arcidiacono, whose deal isn’t fully guaranteed until January, remains on roster.
Shams Charania: Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Bulls are signing guard Tyler Ulis to a two-way NBA contract. Chicago claimed Ulis off waivers today.
With the season set to begin in just a few days, the NBA has announced a minor tweak to the rules regarding two-way contracts. Per a report, travel days will no longer be included in the 45 days of service that a two-way player is allowed.
The Rockets on Saturday took the first steps toward reducing their regular-season roster to 14 players, waiving players signed to non-guaranteed contracts, and are expected to convert the contracts of impressive rookie Gary Clark and second-round pick Vincent Edwards to two-way deals, two individuals with knowledge of the moves said. The final steps, to put Edwards and Clark on two-way deals, has not been completed, but is expected in the coming days, one person with knowledge of the Rockets’ plans said.
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has exercised the two-way player conversion option on guard Joe Chealey. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Additionally, the team announced it has waived forward Zach Smith. Chealey, a College of Charleston product, was originally signed by the Hornets on July 27 as an undrafted free agent.
Anthony Slater: Marcus Derrickson will be the Warriors other 2-way roster guy, Steve Kerr says.
Marc Berman: Fizdale indicates club won’t rip up Allonzo Trier two-way contract until it has to. Will stretch that 45 days of Knicks time as well as they can before making the next step.
Ryan Wolstat: Deng Adel is intriguing and made a big push, but Raptors went with Chris Boucher in the end. Wanted a young big man and Boucher beat out Eric Moreland.
Connor Letourneau: Per a team source, the Warriors plan to give Alfonzo McKinnie their second and final two-way contract. Nothing official yet, though.
Shams Charania: Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Golden State Warriors have signed training camp invite Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-way NBA contract. This could be a procedural move for McKinnie to negotiate newer deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Brooklyn Nets are converting rookie guard Theo Pinson’s contract into a two-way deal, league sources tell ESPN.
NBA teams are allowed up to two players under two-way contracts. Those players spend the bulk of the season in the G League and a maximum of 45 days with their NBA team. Those players are paid a corresponding daily salary based on the number of days they play in each league. Only players with four NBA seasons of experience or less can sign two-way deals, which can be for either one or two seasons. A player has to be active for one day to get credit for a year of service. While two-way contracts generally go to young players with potential upside, some older players with overseas experience took advantage of the opportunity. C.J. Williams, who previously played in Greece, Italy, France, and the former D League, earned a two-way contract at 27 with the Clippers. “It’s a dream come true, to be honest,” Williams said. “I always wanted to play in the NBA and get an opportunity. It’s not exactly an NBA contract, but at the same time I get an opportunity, and that’s all I can ask for, and I’ve just been enjoying every moment of it, but I know my work isn’t done. I can’t be satisfied with just a two-way contract, I have to work to progress to get more.”
Former Rockets two-way guard Markel Brown, 26, used the two-way contract as an opportunity to return to the NBA. The former second-round draft pick played two seasons for the Nets before spending one season in Russia with BC Khimki. After making substantially more overseas in Russia, Brown returned to the States with the hope of making the NBA again. “On the court, I feel like for overseas there is a lot of competition depending on what league you’re in, depending on what team you go and play for, it’s a lot of competition,” Brown said. “There are a lot of guys that used to be in the NBA that are overseas now, and I think it’s great. Going overseas, being able to make some money to be able to take care of your family, but I think staying in the States and playing in the G League is also good as well. You’ve got great coaches in the G League who are constantly preparing you for their affiliate team, so I think both are great on the court. Off the court, for me, being in Russia the language, food, traveling around trying to venture out and see new things versus being in the States it’s just like being home, so I think it opens up your eyes and makes you more thankful for what you have around you.”
In addition to inconvenient travel plans on a moment’s notice, some agents worried about the physical toll their clients endured and lack of sleep as former Brooklyn Nets two-way player Milton Doyle noted. “It gets crazy sometimes just because you never know when you’re going to get the call,” Doyle said. “Somebody might get hurt or be sick or anything. You might get a call at twelve, one, or two in the morning and they tell you that you’ve got to fly out at 6:00 in the morning. The flight, just to get to the airport — especially in New York — is crazy traffic and then a flight. It just takes a toll on your body with whatever traveling you’re doing.”
Looking ahead, some agents suggested changes to improve the two-way system. Multiple agents said they want the league to eliminate multi-year, two-way deals and limit the number of two-way contracts a team can use per season. “Teams like Milwaukee and Houston had at least four different guys on them (two-way contracts) throughout the year,” one agent said. “They are not being used for ‘development’ players. They’re being used as a way to circumvent the cap and a free (no cap hit) insurance policy against injury.”
The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward/center Alan Williams to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. Williams (6’8”, 265) joins Brooklyn after three seasons (2015-18) with the Phoenix Suns. In 62 career games, he averaged 6.4 points and 5.7 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per contest. During the 2017-18 season, Williams appeared in five games, averaging 4.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. He also appeared in three games with the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League last season, averaging 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.4 minutes per game.
In the Nets press conference Tuesday, Sean Marks said Theo Pinson, the 6’7” swingman out of North Carolina, will likely fill the Brooklyn’s second two-way slot, joining the recently signed Alan Williams. Asked if the Nets had someone in mind for the two-way deal, Marks did everything but confirm Pinson is his guy. “I think we do. It’s staying flexible throughout the year; we’ll see what happens. We do have a guy in mind,” said the Nets GM. “Theo Pinson is gonna be our two-way guy. It hasn’t been out there yet; it probably shouldn’t be.
Michael Scotto: The Brooklyn Nets and free agent Alan Williams have agreed to a two-way deal, league sources confirmed to The Athletic. First reported by ESPN. The Nets have been looking to add more rebounding. Williams can help in that department.
The Boston Celtics have signed guard PJ Dozier to a two-way contract, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard/forward Daniel Hamilton and forward Alex Poythress. Poythress’ contract is a two-way contract.
Shams Charania: Sources: The Houston Rockets have waived former Celtics first-round pick R.J. Hunter, who was on a two-way deal.
Mike McGraw: #Bulls still have a second two-way slot open, along with Rawle Alkins. It’s possible they wait and offer that to someone who is in camp.
Shams Charania: Sources: Oklahoma City is signing undrafted Texas A&M center Tyler Davis to a two-way NBA contract.
Chris Dempsey: The #Nuggets are expected to sign summer league standout DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell to a two-way contract for the upcoming season. They also will add his summer league teammate Emanuel Terry to the training camp roster. With both, the Nuggets have 18 players on the roster into camp.
The Indiana Pacers announced Friday they have signed C.J. Wilcox to a two-way contract. Per team policy, the terms of the contract were not announced.
Raptors adding Jordan Loyd
American guard Jordan Loyd has reached a buyout agreement with Turkish side Darussafaka and will now be able to sign a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, a source told Sportando. Loyd signed with Darussafaka this summer after a strong season in Israel with Hapoel Holon.
Jon Krawczynski: Timberwolves have announced the signing of CJ Williams to a 2-way. @Shams Charania reported first
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Jaylen Morris to a Two-Way contract. The team also signed free agent center Brandon McCoy and guard Travis Trice to training camp contracts. Morris, 22, appeared in six games with the Atlanta Hawks last season and averaged 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
Sean Cunningham: Able to confirm @David Aldridge report about Kings planning to sign former Kentucky product Wenyen Gabriel to a two-way contract after his successful stint with Sacramento in Summer League.
David Aldridge: Kings on the verge of signing @Wenyen Gabriel to a two-way contract, per source. Undrafted after two years at Kentucky, but did some solid work for Sac in Summer League play.
Shams Charania: Free agent forward Amile Jefferson has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Orlando Magic, league sources tell Yahoo. The former Duke standout finished last season on two-way with the Timberwolves.
Shams Charania: The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed guard Demetrius Jackson on a two-way NBA contract, league sources tell Yahoo.
Jake Fischer: The Sixers have agreed to terms with second round pick Shake Milton. The SMU product will sign a two-year, two-way deal, according to a team source.
Bobby Marks, ESPN: The Hamidou Diallo (Oklahoma City) and Khyri Thomas (Detroit) signings now have 17 players selected in the second round of the June Draft under contract. Each of the second round picks have at a minimum of three years on their contract except for Jevon Carter (Memphis). The point guard was restricted to only two years because Memphis had signed Kyle Anderson to the full midlevel exception. The top three players with the most guaranteed money are Rodions Kurucs ($4.8M), Jalen Brunson ($4.3M) and Gary Trent Jr. ($3.9M). In addition, the last three players selected in the second round, Thomas Welsh, George King and Kostas Antetokounmpo were signed to Two-Way Contracts.
American guard Jaylen Morris has officially left Fiat Torino, using the NBA escape in his contract, and has signed a two-way contract with the Bucks, the team announced.
The Boston Celtics have signed guard Walt Lemon Jr. to a two-way deal, the team announced today.
Chris Haynes: Free agent forward Alex Poythress agrees to a two-way deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league sources tell ESPN.
Brad Turner: Source: Clippers to acquire from Dallas Johnathan Motley and rights to Renaldas Seibutis for draft rights to Maarty Leunen, plus 50k. Motley will join the Clippers on 2-way contract to play for Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.
Shams Charania: Sources: Undrafted Arizona guard Rawle Alkins has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Chicago Bulls.
The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on Malik Newman, it was announced today.
The Denver Nuggets have signed rookie center Thomas Welsh to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Trevon Bluiett to a two-way contract after the rookie guard averaged 18.3 points in four NBA Summer League games. The contract, announced by the club on Tuesday, means Bluiett will spend most of the season in the developmental G League, but can be called up periodically for a total of 45 days.
Mark Murphy: Correction to earlier report: Danny Ainge says Celtics have not yet agreed to terms with free agent Walter Lemon Jr. on two-way contract. Both sides still in discussions.
Mark Murphy: Danny Ainge confirms @Shams Charania report that Celtics have agreed to terms with PG Walter Lemon Jr. on two-way deal. “Speed, strength and experience,” he said.
Shams Charania: The Boston Celtics and guard Walt Lemon Jr. have agreed a two-way NBA contract, league sources tell Yahoo. Lemon played five games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
Gary Washburn: #Celtics officially waive guard Kadeem Allen
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Naz Mitrou-Long (me-TRUE) to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. Mitrou-Long (6-4, 218, Iowa State) originally signed a two-way deal with Utah last season on Dec. 23, as well as a two 10-day contracts on Feb. 11 and Feb. 24. He appeared in one game for the Jazz, tallying three points against Denver on Dec. 26. Mitrou-Long also appeared in 40 games (35 starts) for the team’s G League affiliate the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 35.0 minutes per game. The 24-year-old totaled 17 games with 20-plus points and four games with 30-plus points, including a Stars-record 37 points on 9-of-15 from three on March 19 against Rio Grande Valley.
Shams Charania: Sources: Guard Naz Mitrou-Long has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Utah Jazz.
Less than 24 hours later, Mitrou-Long would be sharing a similar experience. Around noon Saturday, the former Iowa State star signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz at the same hotel next to his agent, Mike Silverman. “That was really the goal for me coming out of summer league,” said Mitrou-Long, who went undrafted in 2017. “I’m glad we got that done.”
Mitrou-Long has been staying in the same Salt Lake City apartment with Niang this offseason and considers the area as his second home. Returning to Utah, especially with his close friend Niang, is what he’s been working so hard for this off-season. “I’m just happy that the Jazz were so patient with me and kept contributing to the fact that they wanted to see me grow and they invested their time, their money and their knowledge into making me a better player and kept me around because they knew I had a chance to maybe seal this thing up,” Mitrou-Long said. “I’m happy I stuck around and I’m happy they kept me around for it. I feel blessed right now. I feel really good.”
Barry Jackson: Derrick Walton Jr. will remain with Heat in summer league this week even though Miami withdrew qualifying offer today, FYI. Heat will look at other options for second 2 way contract (along with Duncan Robinson, who got a 2 way)
Free-agent guard Damion Lee has reached an agreement with the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell ESPN. Lee, the future brother-in-law of Warriors star Stephen Curry, will sign a two-way contract, sources say. Lee is engaged to Curry’s sister, Sydel.
Albert Nahmad: Heat has officially signed Duncan Robinson to a one-year, two-way contract. Miami quickly locked in the undrafted 24-year-old, 6-foot, 8-inch forward from U of Michigan, who has shown a sweet 3-point shooting stroke, before any other team got any ideas about stealing him away.
Michael Scotto: The Miami Heat and Duncan Robinson (Michigan) have agreed to a one-year, 2-way deal, league sources told The Athletic. Robinson, who attended Williams Ephs before Michigan, will have the opportunity to become the first D-III player since Devean George to play in the NBA.
Chris Dempsey: Craig’s deal frees up one of the two two-way contracts for the #Nuggets to use this season. Monte Morris is on the other two-way deal.
Brett Dawson: The Thunder announces it has signed Deonte Burton to a two-way contract. The 6-5 guard is playing with OKC’s Summer League team this week.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Colorado guard George King has agreed to a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns, league source tell ESPN. King was the 59th overall pick in the June Draft.
Harrison Wind: Can confirm Nuggets intend to sign 58th overall pick Thomas Welsh to a two-way contract. Welsh is a true 7-footer with a knockdown jumper. He hit 40% of his threes last season at UCLA. He’s in line for a significant role later this week at Summer League @BSNDenver
The Denver Nuggets will sign Thomas Welsh to a two-way contract, a source told Sportando.
Ian Begley: Isaiah Hicks is expected to sign a 2-way contract with the Knicks shortly, per ESPN sources.
Emiliano Carchia: Thomas Welsh agreed on a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, a source told Sportando
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today the team has signed guard J.P. Macura to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Macura, an undrafted free agent from Xavier University, recorded averages of 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 34 games as a senior in 2017-18. The Lakeville, Minnesota, native ranked second on the squad in scoring and assists and third in rebounds per game as a senior. He ranked sixth in the Big East in steals, 11th in free-throw percentage (.821) and 14th in assists. Macura finished his college career ranked ninth on Xavier’s all-time leaderboard in free-throw percentage (.798), tenth in steals (166) and 19th in scoring (1,491).
Ryan Ward: The #Lakers announce they’ve signed Malik Newman to a two-way contract. The rookie guard played for Kansas averaging 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game
The Hawks signed point guard Jaylen Adams to a “two-way” contract for 2018-19, the team announced Sunday. Adams, 22, wasn’t selected in the draft after playing four seasons at St. Bonaventure. He was voted co-player of the year in the Atlantic 10 as a senior, when he averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 assists per game.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Texas Tech’s Keenan Evans has agreed to a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons, league source tells ESPN.
Sportando: J.P. Macura signing two-way deal with Hornets.
Jonathan Feigen: Asked Rockets second-round pickup Vincent Edwards about the possibility of signing a two-way contract. He said he did not know yet what the Rockets will want, but seemed open to it. Said “Possible standard, possible two-way.”
Ian Begley: The Knicks can add another two-way player in addition to Arizona’s Allonzo Trier. Last year’s 2-way players (Luke Kornet and Isaiah Hicks) were one-year contracts. Knicks can extend either player a qualifying offer to them restricted free agents.
Adrian Wojnarowski: St. Bonaventure guard Jaylen Adams has agreed to a two-way deal with the Atlanta Hawks, league source tells ESPN.
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: Undrafted rookie forward Gary Clark out of Cincinnati has agreed to a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets.
Shams Charania: Sources: Undrafted Kansas guard Malik Newman has agreed to a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
November 17, 2018 | 11:24 am EST Update
I can remember sitting in my seat on press row at Wells Fargo Center and thinking to myself, “The Sixers never have the guy who hits a three in that spot.” They’ve squandered all sorts of leads over the years, in part because they’ve never really had that perimeter player who can go out and stop the bleeding. Butler is that guy. “That’s a fantastic debut for him,” said Brown. “He was our bell ringer tonight, and just really validates the excitement we have getting him in the program.”
And to hear Butler tell it, it wasn’t exactly a complicated process to get him into that attacking mindset. “Coach Brown called me last night, like, ‘Hey, I remember one time you were in this building and you scored 50,’ and he was like, ‘Do that.’ I was like, ‘OK.'”, said Butler. “Then when we got in the little walkthrough this morning, he was like, ‘You remember what I told you?’ I go, ‘Yep.’ ‘Do that.’ And I was like, ‘OK.'”
For all the discussion about fit and how the pieces will all fit together, there’s also a basketball truism that’s relevant here: talent finds a way. And to hear Butler and Simmons tell it, they just sensed an opening on the Butler inbounds layup that effectively iced the game. “His IQ is very high,” Simmons said after the game. “He’s the kind of guy where, the inbounds play where I threw it to him, that was going to happen before I even threw it, just because I looked at him. Some guys you can just look at and you already know what’s going to happen before it happens.”
Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was disgusted by his line in the box score Friday night. “I took 35 shots. That can’t happen. Zero assists,” Mitchell said after the Jazz’s 113-107 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “That’s not who I am. That’s not how I play. I know I’m still being aggressive, but I’ve got to be smart.”
While some coaches and execs told ESPN over the summer that Rondo could be a pain for the Lakers, the point guard has been a coach on the floor and mentor to the young core for Walton. Given the freedom to be himself, Rajon Rondo has been … Rajon Rondo. The Lakers have seen the acclaimed basketball IQ. They’ve also seen his unpredictability, his fire manifesting in a flurry of punches in his first game in Staples, resulting in a three-game suspension after the NBA ruled he had spit at Chris Paul.
The young Lakers have noticed Rondo’s attention to detail. Hart says the Lakers sometimes walk out of a huddle and Rondo identifies the opposing play just by the positioning of the players on the court. Ball said Rondo once pointed out that a player had his shoes untied during a film session in the midst of all the other things he saw on tape. Kuzma says he’s seen how Rondo constantly looks at his Apple watch during practice. “I don’t know what he does with that watch but seems like he is pretty calculated with everything,” Kuzma said.
The Knicks led by 19 points in the first half, by 11 inside the seven-minute mark and were still ahead by four with just four minutes left before they got smacked in the face by Davis and company. The Pelicans ran off a late 8-1 run and handed the Knicks their fourth straight loss in a 129-124 Friday shootout at Smoothie King Center. After the defeat, Trey Burke lit a fire in the locker room by saying his club seems content to be in close games instead of trying to win them and the players hang their heads when things go south.
