The 2023 NBA drafts are over. But it’s also not. Fifty-eight basketball players have found their teams and will play in the playoffs. But not everyone has been that lucky.
There’s still plenty of talent waiting on the sidelines to be scooped up by major teams. Yes, there are a few ways major NBA teams can widen their bench, and one of them is through the Two-Way contract.
The Two-Way contract was pretty recently made. It was only created in 2017 by the association. While its rules are pretty straightforward, they have undergone a few changes during the Covid years before reverting to normal. As such, many people might need clarification about the rules and pay scale of the current Two-Way contract system. So what does this Two-Way contract mean?
NBA teams can use the Two-Way contract to draft an additional two players along with the 15 already on their roster at a time on their teams. These players can play a maximum of 50 games with their teams each season. Also, they can play in their team’s G League affiliate. The Two-Way contract holders aren’t eligible for the playoffs, and their salary is 50% of an NBA rookie’s minimum salary.
What Is a Two-Way Contract in the NBA?
The Two-Way contract is a way for NBA teams to draft more players in their teams. They already have 15 active players, and this method allows them to get two more. So each NBA team can draft only two more players through this system simultaneously.
The players drafted under this contract will be eligible to play for their team’s G League throughout the season apart from their NBA team.
This might seem like a downgrade, but it allows players, especially the young ones, to prove themselves in the league and to their teams. However, there are some rules regarding eligibility. The major one is that it’s only available to players with up to four years of NBA experience.
Now, experience means playing an NBA game. So if a player has participated in only four games where each took place in a different season, they would become ineligible for the Two-Way contract. Moreover, players on this contract can only play max 50 out of the 82 games with their team. After that, they can play for the G League affiliate.
But what about the teams which don’t have a G League affiliate? The players then will have to play for another NBA team’s affiliate. That’s not all. There are more restrictions. The contract limits a player to only two years with the same team. Also, players are not eligible for postseason rosters.
But it’s not all bad. Players under this system can practice and travel with the team when they aren’t playing. Also, they can sit on the sidelines as an inactive member during games. Now let us discuss the most crucial thing- pay.
How Much Does a 2-Way NBA Contract Pay?
Initially, players contracted under Two-Way by NBA teams were paid $81,995. But this amount was then changed to $449,155 when it was decided that they would get to play 50 games per season, an increase from the initially set 45. But how is this number calculated? It’s calculated based on 50% of the minimum salary paid to an NBA player without experience.
Also, it’s a flat salary. For the 2022-23 season, Two-Way contract holders earned about $502K as the rookie minimum was set at $1,004,159. This season may remain the same. But players will only get this amount if they stay on the deal for the entire year.
Can Two-Way Players Play in the Playoffs?
Players under the Two-Way contract are eligible to play in the NBA playoffs if their contract gets converted to a full-time spot on the roster. Otherwise, they are ineligible.
Exceptions to this rule were made during the Covid pandemic. Two-Way players could play unlimited games with their NBA club during those two pandemic years. Also, they could participate in the postseason games.
So what do you think of the Two-Way contract system in the NBA?
Is it fair to the players who sign this? Is it unjust that the Two-Way players are denied even the chance to play in the playoffs? What about the salary- is it alright?
Let us know in the comments below.
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