{"id":915187,"date":"2026-10-03T23:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T23:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/915187\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T23:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T23:16:19","slug":"which-two-way-rookies-have-the-best-chance-to-earn-a-standard-nba-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/915187\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Two-Way Rookies Have the Best Chance to Earn a Standard NBA Contract?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heading into the 2026-27 season, 27 players from the 2026 draft class<\/a> have signed two-way contracts.<\/p>\n

Most of these players will likely spend most of their minutes in the G League as rookies, but have a clear path to earning a standard NBA contract<\/a> in the future.<\/p>\n

Of the 27 rookies to earn two-way deals<\/a>, 14 went undrafted in the 2026 class, while the other 13 first-year two-way players were all second-round picks. Former Purdue star Braden Smith, who went No. 38 overall, is the top pick from the most recent draft to sign a two-way deal.<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at three two-way rookies who could earn standard contracts this season.<\/p>\n

Tobe Awaka, Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n

As a senior at Arizona, Awaka averaged 9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 58.7% from the field in 20.8 minutes per game off the bench.<\/p>\n

After going undrafted in the 2026 class, Awaka signed with Chicago as an undrafted free agent and will now begin his NBA career on a two-way deal with the organization. The 6-foot-8 forward is a solid rebounder and play finisher, which could make him a valuable rotation player.<\/p>\n

As the Bulls enter a new era with first-year general manager Bryson Graham and first-year head coach Tiago Splitter, the team is looking for pieces who could be part of the organization’s future, and Awaka has the potential to earn a spot amongst that group. <\/p>\n

Maliq Brown, San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n

Brown was selected by San Antonio with the No. 44 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after averaging 4.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a senior at Duke.<\/p>\n

Like Awaka, Brown’s skill set could make him a solid role player in the NBA. The second-round pick is a good defender and plays one of the few positions on San Antonio’s roster that needs more depth.<\/p>\n

With a strong showing in training camp, the preseason and his early opportunities with the Spurs’ G League affiliate, Brown could prove to be a valuable young piece for the Spurs and earn a standard contract.<\/p>\n

Carson Cooper, Memphis Grizzlies<\/p>\n

Cooper also went undrafted in the 2026 class, but signed with Memphis and put together a strong showing in the NBA Summer League.<\/p>\n

Across nine games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Cooper averaged 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 57.5% from the field. <\/p>\n

As a senior at Michigan State, the talented man averaged 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a block per game while shooting 58.4% from the field. If Zach Edey, who has dealt with injuries throughout his NBA career, misses time again in 2026-27, Cooper could get a few opportunities to play with the Grizzlies and earn a standard contract.<\/p>\n

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