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Alex Caruso is a prime example of the immense success that two-way contract players can achieve in the Duncan Robinson Jersey. This was something the Thunder guard could never have foreseen when he went undrafted in 2016—a full year before the concept of two-way contracts even existed in the league. But in the years that followed, many players approached the two-time champion, saying they saw his path and knew they could follow a similar one.
However, Caruso himself didn't have such a roadmap initially. He spent a full season with the Thunder's G League team before becoming one of the first players to sign a two-way contract with the Lakers in July 2017. Because it was the first time teams implemented two-way contracts, Caruso described the experience as "learning by doing."
“Fortunately, I was in a very good position with the G League team,” Caruso said. “I especially want to thank my coach—[former South Bay Lakers head coach] Kobe Karl—who helped me readjust my mindset while I was there, because sometimes it can be a bit disappointing. I think he did a fantastic job helping me cope with that situation, especially since it was the first time anyone had experienced something like that in history.”
Caruso transitioned from a two-way contract player to a standard contract with the Lakers before the 2019-20 season. That same year, he played a key role in helping the Lakers win their first championship in a decade. In the summer of 2021, Caruso signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. He then returned to the Thunder, completing a career cycle. Last season, his defensive intelligence and shooting ability helped the Oklahoma City Thunder win their first NBA championship. During this time, he was also named to the All-Defensive Team twice and won two NBA rings.
Caruso's story has been told countless times. It's invariably mentioned whenever coaches, players, and league executives discuss the determination and professionalism players demonstrate in their pursuit of the league. Therefore, it's no surprise that it's become the gold standard for two-way contract success stories. But when two-way contracts were introduced at the start of the 2017-18 season, their initial intention was far from discovering potential All-Stars or All-Defensive Team caliber players.
Adam Simon, assistant general manager of the Miami Heat, was one of the committee members who pushed for the NBA to introduce two-way contracts. When he helped propose the idea to the league, the initial hope was only to add one more two-way contract slot. However, the league initially added two slots, and then expanded it to three at the start of the 2023-24 season.
"It was mainly to prevent this situation: for example, you spend the whole summer developing a player, he goes to training camp with you, and then you give him a bonus to go to your G League team, and whoosh, he's snatched up by another team," Simon told. "Secondly, it was to ensure that there were enough players on the roster during training, because at that time, it was not allowed for extra players to loiter around the team."
G League players don't sign contracts with their respective teams; instead, they sign individual contracts with the G League each year. Regardless of which G League team they wear, they are eligible to be drafted by any NBA team. However, the introduction of two-way contracts allows teams to protect up to three players, making it virtually impossible for other teams to sign them.
The proposal to increase the number of two-way contracts received a positive response. However, there was also opposition. A league executive who played a key role in pushing for the two-way contract system said that some teams preferred a large free agent pool within the G League rather than allocating a fixed number of players to specific teams. But regardless of the criticism, it was overwhelmed by overwhelming support for the concept, and the clause was ultimately incorporated into the league's collective bargaining agreement in 2017.
While initially envisioned as giving teams more players available for practice or preventing other teams from poaching talent, this mechanism quickly became a crucial way for teams to discover top role players in the league.
Not every player who signs a two-way contract can achieve the success that Caruso has so far. But the Jae Crowder Jersey by players like Caruso has led young players such as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones to see two-way contracts as a viable path to the NBA.
Robinson's signing process followed this pattern. The Heat had expressed interest in his agent months before draft night, so when Robinson went undrafted, Miami had a two-way contract ready for him. The Heat are particularly adept at unearthing gems like Robinson, Strus, Gabe Vincent, and several others who joined the "Heat culture" through two-way contracts. But they don't always manage to sign their ideal players. Simon recalled one instance where, despite the team having contacted the player and his agent and expressed interest before other teams, the player ultimately signed a two-way contract with another team. Simon stated that he was "not happy" when this happened.
This is similar to recruiting players in college basketball, highlighting the importance of two-way contracts today—missing out on an undrafted rookie can leave executives with a vivid memory of that moment years later.
From all perspectives, the introduction of two-way contracts has greatly benefited the league. A series of adjustments over the years—adding a third roster spot and extending the number of days a player can play in the NBA—have further refined the system. Will there be more adjustments in the future? Dort hopes that players on two-way contracts will also be eligible for the playoffs. However, a league executive said that this proposal may face resistance because it would eliminate the need for teams to convert players to standard NBA contracts. Removing this commitment could lead to players remaining on two-way contracts for longer than necessary.
Regardless of how two-way contracts are adjusted in the future, their overall positive impact is undeniable. It opens an alternative path to the NBA for overlooked talented players and strengthens the ties with the G League. Success stories like Caruso, Dort, Reeves, and Alvarado will emerge one after another.
However, Caruso himself didn't have such a roadmap initially. He spent a full season with the Thunder's G League team before becoming one of the first players to sign a two-way contract with the Lakers in July 2017. Because it was the first time teams implemented two-way contracts, Caruso described the experience as "learning by doing."
“Fortunately, I was in a very good position with the G League team,” Caruso said. “I especially want to thank my coach—[former South Bay Lakers head coach] Kobe Karl—who helped me readjust my mindset while I was there, because sometimes it can be a bit disappointing. I think he did a fantastic job helping me cope with that situation, especially since it was the first time anyone had experienced something like that in history.”
Caruso transitioned from a two-way contract player to a standard contract with the Lakers before the 2019-20 season. That same year, he played a key role in helping the Lakers win their first championship in a decade. In the summer of 2021, Caruso signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. He then returned to the Thunder, completing a career cycle. Last season, his defensive intelligence and shooting ability helped the Oklahoma City Thunder win their first NBA championship. During this time, he was also named to the All-Defensive Team twice and won two NBA rings.
Caruso's story has been told countless times. It's invariably mentioned whenever coaches, players, and league executives discuss the determination and professionalism players demonstrate in their pursuit of the league. Therefore, it's no surprise that it's become the gold standard for two-way contract success stories. But when two-way contracts were introduced at the start of the 2017-18 season, their initial intention was far from discovering potential All-Stars or All-Defensive Team caliber players.
Adam Simon, assistant general manager of the Miami Heat, was one of the committee members who pushed for the NBA to introduce two-way contracts. When he helped propose the idea to the league, the initial hope was only to add one more two-way contract slot. However, the league initially added two slots, and then expanded it to three at the start of the 2023-24 season.
"It was mainly to prevent this situation: for example, you spend the whole summer developing a player, he goes to training camp with you, and then you give him a bonus to go to your G League team, and whoosh, he's snatched up by another team," Simon told. "Secondly, it was to ensure that there were enough players on the roster during training, because at that time, it was not allowed for extra players to loiter around the team."
G League players don't sign contracts with their respective teams; instead, they sign individual contracts with the G League each year. Regardless of which G League team they wear, they are eligible to be drafted by any NBA team. However, the introduction of two-way contracts allows teams to protect up to three players, making it virtually impossible for other teams to sign them.
The proposal to increase the number of two-way contracts received a positive response. However, there was also opposition. A league executive who played a key role in pushing for the two-way contract system said that some teams preferred a large free agent pool within the G League rather than allocating a fixed number of players to specific teams. But regardless of the criticism, it was overwhelmed by overwhelming support for the concept, and the clause was ultimately incorporated into the league's collective bargaining agreement in 2017.
While initially envisioned as giving teams more players available for practice or preventing other teams from poaching talent, this mechanism quickly became a crucial way for teams to discover top role players in the league.
Not every player who signs a two-way contract can achieve the success that Caruso has so far. But the Jae Crowder Jersey by players like Caruso has led young players such as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones to see two-way contracts as a viable path to the NBA.
Robinson's signing process followed this pattern. The Heat had expressed interest in his agent months before draft night, so when Robinson went undrafted, Miami had a two-way contract ready for him. The Heat are particularly adept at unearthing gems like Robinson, Strus, Gabe Vincent, and several others who joined the "Heat culture" through two-way contracts. But they don't always manage to sign their ideal players. Simon recalled one instance where, despite the team having contacted the player and his agent and expressed interest before other teams, the player ultimately signed a two-way contract with another team. Simon stated that he was "not happy" when this happened.
This is similar to recruiting players in college basketball, highlighting the importance of two-way contracts today—missing out on an undrafted rookie can leave executives with a vivid memory of that moment years later.
From all perspectives, the introduction of two-way contracts has greatly benefited the league. A series of adjustments over the years—adding a third roster spot and extending the number of days a player can play in the NBA—have further refined the system. Will there be more adjustments in the future? Dort hopes that players on two-way contracts will also be eligible for the playoffs. However, a league executive said that this proposal may face resistance because it would eliminate the need for teams to convert players to standard NBA contracts. Removing this commitment could lead to players remaining on two-way contracts for longer than necessary.
Regardless of how two-way contracts are adjusted in the future, their overall positive impact is undeniable. It opens an alternative path to the NBA for overlooked talented players and strengthens the ties with the G League. Success stories like Caruso, Dort, Reeves, and Alvarado will emerge one after another.