The Kings announced today that they have signed center Dylan Cardwell and guard Isaiah Stevens to two-way contracts. Cardwell is a 23 year-old 6’11 undrafted rookie center who averaged 5.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 block in 20.3 minutes a game while shooting 70% from the field for the Auburn Tigers as a fifth year senior last season. Stevens is a 24 year-old, 6’0 point guard who spent last season on a two-way deal with the Miami Heat, but mostly spent time with Miami’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce where he averaged 12.3 points, 7.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds a game. Before that, he played five seasons at Colorado State (including one year with Kings rookie Nique Clifford) where he holds the program records for all-time points, assists and 3-point field goals made.
NBA teams are allowed three two-way contracts. Sacramento’s third two-way contract is currently unfilled, although the Kings do have a Qualifying Offer out on Isaiah Crawford for that final spot. Mason Jones, who has been a two-way player for the Kings the last two seasons, is no longer eligible for a two-way contract as it is limited to players with four or fewer seasons in the NBA. Two-way players are essentially G-League affiliate players who get a bit of extra attention and development by the team since they are allowed to spend up to 45 days during the regular season with the team, while also fully participating in training camp and pre-season action.
The Kings have had decent success with the two-way contracts in recent years. Keon Ellis is the most immediate and successful example, graduating from a two-way player to an important contributor and sometime starter for the Kings after going undrafted. Last season, Isaac Jones also graduated from a two-way player to a regular contract for the Kings, playing in 40 games. Two-way deals are a nice way for teams to develop young players with little risk, and good opportunities for guys who might otherwise have been overlooked.
With Cardwell and Stevens, the Kings are addressing two of their biggest potential areas of need in both the frontcourt and backcourt. We’ll get to see them in action, along with the rest of the Kings summer league team, starting this Thursday at 4:30pm on NBA TV as they take on the Orlando Magic.
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