Michifornia

July 24th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^

Derek Walton earned his shot!!  Can't wait to see him develop into an even better player.  We know the hard work will be there.  Couldn't be happier for DW!

GO BLUE!!

goblue12

July 24th, 2017 at 6:36 PM ^

Copied from Dylan Burkhardt over a umhoops.com:

 

A two-way contract allows players to split time between a team’s NBA roster and its NBA G-League roster throughout the season.

These contracts essentially extend the NBA roster to a 16th adn 17th NBA spot and allow a player to spend up to 45 days with the NBA team that signs him, the rest of the time must be spent in the G-League. Players are paid a salary of $75,000 while in the G-League — far greater than the $26,000 allotted for a one-way G-League deal — and a salary consistent with the NBA rookie minimum of $816,000 while on the big league roster. That means that a player on a two-way contract would make around $204,000 if they spend the full 45 days in the NBA ($279,000 in total while spending the maximum of 45 days in the NBA).

bluesalt

July 24th, 2017 at 7:19 PM ^

Although he can get up to $50k guaranteed essentially for training camp.

Practically speaking, expect most players to wind up guaranteed this year, as NBA teams figure out the process. The $75k is the minimum he could get if he only plays in the G-league the entire season. The 45 days in the NBA aspect is incorrect -- he can play more under a two-way contract. Time on the NBA roster does not count against the 45 days limit if it occurs before the G-league regular season starts or after the regular season ends. Last year there were about three weeks between the beginning of the NBA season and the then D-league, now G-league season,and the D-league ended a week before the NBA season as well. While schedules haven't been finalized this year, if it followed last year's pattern, there'd be about an extra 4 weeks at the NBA level that didn't count against the 45 day limit. This would give him around 70 or so days at the NBA, meaning he'd earn around 40% of the $815k minimum salary, plus a pro-rated portion of the $75k D-league salary, plus any guaranteed money he signed for (to a max of $50k).

So if he remains a two-way player the entire season, which is more likely than not, he could make about $400k or so.

bluesalt

July 24th, 2017 at 7:05 PM ^

As part of a two-way deal, essentially for training camp. Then he's sent to the G-league, where he earns a prorated $75k while he's there, and up to about 60 days in the NBA, where he earns a prorated $815k.

How much he makes this year will depend how much the Heat call him up, although it's expected that most two-way players will spend the maximum amount of time in the NBA.

Tater

July 24th, 2017 at 6:34 PM ^

If any underdog earned a contract with his performance this summer, it was Walton.  I hope he has a long and prosperous NBA career before he comes back to coach.

ChiCityWolverine

July 24th, 2017 at 6:35 PM ^

Was typing this up, but here are my detailed thoughts anyways:

Derrick Walton has found his landing spot, and as an admittedly biased Miami Heat fan, I think it's a perfect fit. For those that don't know, in the years since LeBron left Miami the Heat have become a breeding ground for developing unheralded prospects into real NBA players. Few teams spend as much time and money using their D-League (G-League now) affiliate as a place to groom young talent for a future in the NBA.

The success stories:

  • Hassan Whiteside spent time in the D-League, China, and Lebanon after a cup of coffee with Sacramento. The Heat brought him into the fold in 2014 and he has developed into a near All-Star at center, commanding $98 million contract last summer
  • Tyler Johnson may be most famous for his $50 million offer sheet last summer, but the ex-Fresno State guard developed in Miami's D-League Sioux Falls Sky Force before proving himself a valuable reserve guard at the top level
  • Josh Richardson was a second round pick some may have remembered at Tennessee. With Miami, he found a role contributing to a 3-seed team that pushed 2-seed Toronto to a Game 7 in 2016, hitting over 46% from 3 and proving to be a more than adequate 3-and-D role player
  • Rodney McGruder is a little known wing out of Kansas State. After bouncing around the D-League, the Heat affliliate signed him in 2015 and he spent a full year getting time in Siuox Falls. Last year, he started 65 games for the Heat in relief of injured Justise Winslow. His average shooting from distance and excellent defense garnered him some votes on the All Rookie teams.
  • Dion Waiters and James Johnson were established NBA players, but both hit another gear with career seasons in Erik Spoelstra's system a year ago. The mix of conditioning and culture has proven to be an elixir for journeymen who haven't reached their potential as well as young guns

Walton should be given every chance to earn a real NBA deal by next season, and developing under the tutelage of Pat Riley and Spo is ideal. Miami's new pace and space attack would make great use of Walton's playmaking and ability to shoot of the dribble. The roster is full of combo guards and wings, but a true backup PG is missing. In a year or two, that could be Walton.

OwenGoBlue

July 24th, 2017 at 11:55 PM ^

It still pains me to say this as a Knicks fan, but Riley is about as good as it gets when it comes to building an organization that develops/maximizes talent and puts teams in a position to compete. Spoelstra is a hell of a coach and fits his system to talent.

It's a great spot to get a shot. I'm glad he's there instead of Orlando. 

 

Drbogue

July 24th, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^

Maybe I'll finally drive down to AA Arena and watch a game. In my maize and blue gear of course. It's about the only reason to go to Miami now

LSAClassOf2000

July 24th, 2017 at 9:57 PM ^

Actually, the Heat might very well be a good starting point for Walton for an NBA career, given how that team is configured at the moment. Hopefully, he has a great run there. Always lik to see young players - Wolverines or otherwise - land in a place where they might have a nice opportunity to shine.