The 10 most valuable NBA players who were on two-way contracts

NBA players on two-way contracts are not guaranteed to stay on a team’s roster. More often than not, they are tasked with spending more time in the NBA G-League. With limited exposure, it’s a long shot for a two-way player to make an impact in the NBA.

However, there was a time when players on the two-way offer defied the odds. Here’s a look at the 10 most valuable NBA players who were on two-way contracts.

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Back in Deffezon since 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers initially brought Alec Caruso on board with a two-way contract. Although his stats never turned heads, CARUSO’s defense and perimeter defense made him a valuable piece to have in the purple and gold.

As a result, after signing him to a pair of two-way contracts, Caruso was signed to a longer deal. He played an instrumental role for The Lakers in their 2020 NBA run Inside the bubble, in the middle of the pandemic for almost 19 years.

Austin Reeves

When Caruso left the Lakers in 2021, the team had to fill the void by looking at the 2021 year of NBA prospects. The Detroit guns originally wanted to draft Austin Reeves in the second round, but reeves they asked them not to make it Since the clips would not guarantee him a place on the list.

Instead, he signed a two-way contract with the Lakers. Just before the NBA preseason, the Lakers awarded him a two-year NBA contract. Reeves’ Hustle and timely buckets helped the Lakers as a contender. In fact, he was part of the team it became The first NBA season tournament champion.

Duncan Robinson

As mostly a bench player for the University of Michigan, Duncan Robinson was overlooked in the 2018 NBA Draft. Regardless, the Miami Heat found him, forcing him to a summer league deal. Impressed by his performance, the Heat signed him to a two-way contract.

With Robinson making a splash in the NBA G-League, the Heat came calling and rewarded the former Wolverine with a guaranteed contract. Since then, Robinson has emerged as an effective starter thanks to his outside sniping. He also helped lead the Heat to a pair of NBA Finals appearances, in 2020 and 2023.

Gabe Vincent

Speaking of heat, Gabe Vincent was another diamond in the rough unearthed by the team. After spending a season with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G-League, Vincent was signed by the Heat to a two-way deal. He continued to develop with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G-League, but was part of a Heat squad that made it to the 2020 NBA Finals.

The Heat later signed him to a standard NBA contract, racing to blossom as a two-way player. Vincent played a harvest role with The Heat during their 2023 NBA Finals.

Caleb Martin

In regards to the 2023 NBA Finals, the Heat couldn’t go there without Caleb Martin. After quiet seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Martin opted out in 2021. This paved the way for the Heat to pick him up via a two-way deal.

He built his confidence in the NBA G-League with the Skyforce before becoming an important piece in the NBA playoffs for Miami. In fact, Martin is averaging 19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and his efforts nearly rewarded him with the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.

Derrick Jones Jr.

Known for his elite athleticism and thunderous chops, Derrick Jones Jr. It was another testament to the heat’s ability to find under-the-radar gems. After an unproductive season with the Phoenix Suns, the Heat signed Jones to a two-way deal, giving him a chance to develop with the Skyforce.

Staying true to the heat culture, Jones honed and influenced the Court with his Hustle. Moreover, his powerful dunks were often instant game-changers in favor of the Heat. Jones helped the Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals after capturing the NBA Slam Contest title.

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After missing out on the 2019 NBA draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder found a hidden gem in Lou Dort. Dort agreed to join the Thunder on a two-way contract. In the 2020 NBA playoffs, Dort established himself as a top wing defender after James Harden was bleeding his points.

Impressed by his performances in the playoffs, the Thunder rewarded him with a four-year contract. Dort is still an important piece for Grmlje and let’s come thunder.

Gary Payton II, Son of Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, began his NBA career as a journeyman. He remained in the NBA on short-term contracts, 10-day contracts and two-way offers.

While his two-way stint with the Lakers didn’t pan out, he managed a pair of 10-day deals with the Golden State Warriors. Payton has proven to be an under-the-radar for his top-end defense of sick and crowded. In fact, he helped extend the Warriors’ dynasty into 2022.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ gamble paid off with Naz Reid. Reid went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, but the Minnesota Timberwolves took a chance on him with a two-way contract. Just two weeks later, the Wolves were convinced Reid was part of their future, cutting him to a standard NBA contract.

Reid made a significant impact for the Timberwolves, NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award Earlier this year while passing the team on the appearance of the Western Conference Finals.

Jose Alvarado

While Jose Alvarado isn’t exactly one of the biggest players on the field, he does it with his heart. Alvarado did not enter the 2021 NBA draft. However, the New Orleans Pelicans picked him up with a two-way contract.

They allowed him to develop in the NBA G-League with the Birmingham Squadron. Alvarado eventually established himself in the Pelicans’ rotation as the Pelicans’ point guard, convincing the Pelicans to sign him to a longer NBA contract.