NBA finalizes rules that apply to two-way contracts through 2022-23

In a bit of NBA housekeeping, the NBA Board of Governors has approved the parameters of two-way contracts for the 2022-23 season. Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to flex their 15-man roster upwards by two additional players, and the flexibility has proved to be a popular new wrinkle since its inception. The Minnesota Timberwolves have used two-way contracts effectively in the past:

"“NBA teams may have up to two players under NBA Two-Way Contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League and not more than 45 days with their NBA team. Two-Way players are paid a corresponding daily amount based on the number of days they play in each league. Only players in their fourth NBA season or earlier are able to sign Two-Way Contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons.” -as defined by NBA G League"

Minnesota Timberwolves fans should be aware of the changes to two-way contracts going forward. In essence, the NBA no longer sees enough justification to sustain any modification to the program. And so, with the cessation of medical protocols that became the impetus to modify two-way contract conditions, the NBA has now agreed to restore two-way contract players to their original pre-COVID conditions

What does this all mean? Well, first and foremost two-way contracted players are limited to playing in 50 regular-season games and are prohibited from participating in the NBA Playoffs.

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed forward Nathan Knight and McKinley Wright IV to two-way contracts in 2021-22.

Knight played in 37 games for the Timberwolves, starting two. While he played a limited amount of minutes, he exhibited some offensive prowess, shooting over 50 percent from the floor and better than 30 percent from beyond the arc. He is a free agent this summer, but at 6-foot-10 and 253-pounds, he may be a player the team wants to re-sign.

McKinley Wright IV is a feisty point guard who saw little action for the Timberwolves in 2021-22. Although his minutes per game in his five games was under four, he could be an intriguing roster player if the team brings him back this year.

At the moment, the most likely player to be offered a two-way contract is Memphis forward Josh Minott, who was selected with the 45th pick overall. While the team could sign anyone to the second two-way, I have a hunch that they will be looking at their Summer League roster before making any decisions.