life on a two-way NBA contract

According to the rules of physics, a body can’t be in two places at once. But some of today’s NBA players are attempting to prove that scientific maxim false. Yes, the subsection of pro basketball players on “two-way” contracts often feel as if they are in multiple places at any single given moment, stretched between different rosters, playing styles, positions, playbooks and cities. But such is the life of a two-way athlete, someone who is walking a dual-pronged path, while also trying to find a permanent home in the league of milk, honey and millionaires. But how do these guys navigate this unique lifestyle and what does it take to succeed?

“Every day,” the Detroit Pistons’ Jared Rhoden tells the Guardian, “you never know where you’re going to be or what’s going to happen. What your role will be, what position [you’ll play]. It’s about staying ready for anything.”

When it comes to two-way guys like Rhoden, the future – whether that’s the next day, month or season – is largely unknown. It can be a harsh reality, one devoid of clarity. But it’s also one many are willing to live in order to achieve that dream of becoming an NBA player. And perhaps, one day, an NBA veteran. So, for Rhoden, given this level of uncertainty, his strategy is all about having his mind and body ready for the unforeseen at any time. Who knows when you may get a call to suit up for the NBA franchise?

So, be prepared.

“It is tough,” Rhoden says, though not complaining. He’s merely being honest about the gig. “There were times last year when I was on the road, and I’d get a call to fly somewhere else to play. It’s challenging on your body and on your mind.”

Rhoden says teams usually give players a day, or so, of advance notice for their next assignment, whether that be with a G League team like the Detroit Cruise or to play with the top-flight Pistons. An NBA franchise might need a two-way player if someone on their everyday roster is injured. Or if the team has just, say, made a three-for-one player trade and the remaining roster is thin. During the pandemic, with all the positive Covid tests, squads would need to bring in two-way players often to fill out ailing rosters. And when a two-way player is called up, he may be with the team for a few games or a few weeks. “They’ll let you know,” Rhoden says.

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But for Rhoden, he’s used to the hard path. He wasn’t a top four- or five-star recruit coming out of high school. Instead, he says he was “under the radar”, attending Seton Hall. But he prides himself on his work ethic and character. And Rhoden is sharp, keen. The 6ft 6in shooting guard, whose father worked on Wall Street and who grew up playing soccer, knows that effort is the key to professional gains. He looked up to his entrepreneur father, learned passion and drive from him. And in his own life, Rhoden wanted to emulate his pops.

To begin his career, the now-24-year-old Rhoden played in the summer league with the Sacramento Kings just last season. From there, he signed a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers and played in the preseason with the franchise. But the Blazers waived him. Next, he played for the Atlanta Hawks developmental G League team. It was on Christmas Day in 2022 that he got his two-way deal with the Pistons. (Santa came through!) Rhoden has been with the Motor City squad ever since, playing in 14 NBA games last season, averaging 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Rhoden, though, isn’t alone. For the Orlando Magic’s two-way player, Kevon Harris, that circuitous life sounds rather familiar. The 6ft 6in 26-year-old shooting guard, who played in 34 games with the Florida team last year, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds, says he got his focus and drive from his mother (“Ma Dukes”). She taught him to be self-motivated. Ever since, Harris has strived for more out of life. A player who loves the physicality of the game and is a self-described “underdog all my life”, Harris says he always wants to work “my butt off”. Yet, he also knows just how much sacrifice the life of a two-way player entails.

“Man, it’s a lot,” Harris says. “Obviously, on two teams, you’ve always got to be ready, always got to be prepared. So, it’s a lot. But it’s part of [the job]. It’s a grind. At the end of the day, you love the game, so you’ll figure it out”

Harris, a product of Stephen F Austin in east Texas, has split time between the NBA and Orlando’s G League franchise, the Osceola Magic. He remembers playing one game for one league one night and then going to the other league and playing in a game the following evening. “That’s just typical life for a two-way right there,” Harris says. For the shooting guard, the way to succeed, though, is to keep the same approach to the game no matter where he’s suiting up. “Go out there and try to find ways to win,” he says. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.” Keeping that principle made any adjustments he had to make along the way “a lot easier”.

Both Harris and Rhoden say that, while a difficult lifestyle, the opportunity to play and learn the game of basketball at multiple levels is something of a gift. “The best part about being on a two-way,” Harris says, “is just getting a taste of both worlds. Just figuring it out. Being able to gain as much information as I can and being a sponge.” Equipped with all he’s learned, Harris shares his expertise to his Osceola teammates, he adds. And Rhoden notes that being close to NBA stars is an invaluable perk of the job, especially “learning and picking some veterans’ minds,” he says, like “some of the best players and coaches in the world.”

Rhoden cites moments with Damian Lillard from Portland and Bojan Bogdanović from Detroit that have made a significant impact on him as a human being, not just a player. Rhoden says he went through a few “personal tragedies” while with Portland last season and during that time Lillard, a perennial All-Star, made sure to call and text and check in on him. It was a big moment for Rhoden, who says he idolized the former Portland point guard growing up. More recently, Bogdanović took Rhoden under his wing and showed him around Motown while also telling him tips on what it takes to survive in the league for years. These life lessons translate to Rhoden’s day-to-day off the basketball floor, too.

“Who you are on the court is who you are off the court,” Rhoden says. “All the lessons that you can experience, you can take them and put them anywhere. That’s the greatest thing about this league, you mature fast. You learn and you adapt quickly. That’s been special.”

Along with the retainer-like two-day deals, which are only available to players with four years or fewer of service, there are contracts in the NBA known as 10-day deals, which, when signed, keep a player on a roster for 10 days or three games. There are also non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deals. The rules for each of these are constantly evolving. But each are tools for franchises to keep their rosters filled and for management to see who it has in its developmental reserves. As the college game and NCAA continue to evolve (NIL deals; realignment), NBA rosters are taking more advantage of the minor league. These tactics are paying off for players and teams alike. Harris and Rhoden are prime examples, as are others like Admiral Schofield, Ron Harper Jr and more. As for the coming season, Harris says he’s anticipating the next step in his career: showing he’s worthy of a full-time NBA roster.

“To continue to prove why I’m going to be a big part of this Orlando Magic organization,” he says. “Just going out there and changing the narrative of the Magic this year. Going further in the season, playing longer and just being a big part of that. That’s all I’ve been thinking about. Playing with that chip on my shoulder and going out there and proving myself every game.”

As Rhoden gains more experience, he sees the landscape of the NBA clearly. When asked what advice he would give to younger guys on two-way deals, he says that success in the NBA comes down to conducting yourself the right way on and off the court. Hustle, ask questions, talk and engage with players and coaches. These are paramount. As is outworking everyone you can and believing in your talent. Truly, this is the case for all professions. And in the NBA, it’s the stuff that leads to victories – something the Pistons and Magic could certainly use more of this year.

“Basketball teaches me to have a certain threshold on my life that I’ve never had with anything else,” Rhoden says. “To have that mental capacity to withstand pain, withstand trauma or things not going well. It has ultimately catapulted me to be a better person and a better man.”