On Sunday, a pair of un-drafted free agent big men signed two-way deals. Mavericks power forward Johnathan Motley inked a contract, as did Knicks center Luke Kornet.
Motley (6’10”) entered the draft early after three years at Baylor, averaging 17.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game as he earned an All-American Second Team spot. The forward also earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and was named the 2017 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year.
Baylor made three consecutive tournament appearances during Motley’s tenure, including a Sweet Sixteen in 2017. The Bears went 73-30 over those three years.
Motley is extremely athletic and versatile, but his inconsistency in many areas throughout his collegiate career ultimately led to him going un-drafted.
Motley is currently competing with Dallas’s Orlando Summer League squad at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. Motley did not play in July 4th’s 94-79 Mavericks win. Motley is averaging 3.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block per game so far this summer.
Motley will likely spend the bulk of his rookie season playing for Dallas’s G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
Luke Kornet went un-drafted after four years at Vanderbilt, but he will still have an NBA opportunity.
The 7’1″ center averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game as he earned All-SEC and All-SEC Defensive Team honors. Kornet led the Commodores to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2016 and 2017.
Kornet possess the rare ability to shoot from three, knocking down 150 in his career (an NCAA record for a 7-footer) and blocking shots, swatting 210 for his career (a Vanderbilt record).
Despite this, his immobility and lack of toughness led to him going un-drafted.
Kornet is currently with Knicks summer squad in the Orlando Pro Summer League, playing alongside fellow rookies Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson, and Frank Ntilikina.
In an 80-75 Knicks loss at the hands of Motley’s Mavericks on Saturday, Kornet dropped 12 points, all coming off his four three pointers.
Kornet will play the majority of his rookie campaign with New York’s G-League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.
As a reminder, every NBA can have up to two Two-Way contracts on their roster to go along with their 15-man roster. A player on this contract can spend up to 45 days with their NBA team, while spending most of their time with the G-League affiliate.
The contracts came from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed last year by the NBA and the Player’s Association.