Dec 20, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Memphis Hustle forward Damien Jefferson (23) drives the ball against Westchester Knicks guard Trevor Keels (3) during the first quarter at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
What is a two-way contract in the NBA?
With it being the NBA offseason, there are a flurry of transactions that will happen from blockbuster trades to teams signing players to two-way contracts. The New York Knicks didn’t have any picks in the 2023 NBA Draft but did sign a couple of players to two-way contracts shortly after the draft concluded.
Some fans have been left wondering what exactly a two-way contract is. Let’s look at New York’s 2022 second-round pick as an example.
The Knicks signed Trevor Keels to a two-way last offseason, meaning that he was on New York’s roster but was allowed to develop in Westchester with the organization’s G League affiliate. He appeared in only three games for the Knicks but played in 24 for Westchester. It’s an option that teams will take for younger players (three or fewer years of NBA experience) that aren’t ready to be on a standard deal.
Keels was able to sign a two-way because Jericho Sims had his two-way converted to a standard deal, leaving an open spot for Keels to take.
What players are on a two-way contract with the New York Knicks?
Trevor Keels and Duane Washington Jr. ended the 2022-23 season on two-way contracts with the Knicks. Last week, New York signed Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin, Obi’s younger brother, and Overtime Elite’s Jaylen Martin to two-way deals after the draft.
Toppin and Martin are expected to play for New York at Summer League in Las Vegas. The Knicks’ first game is slated to be on July 8 against the Sixers. Because the team’s lone draft pick in the past two years has been Keels, fans are looking forward to seeing Toppin and Martin in action.
Under the new CBA, NBA teams can now carry three two-way contract spots versus two. With New York still having an open two-way spot, it’s presumed that it will be filled by Keels.
