REGULAR SEASON – Between NBA and G-League, the uncertain intermediary of the “two-way contract”

When the incumbents are injured, the intermittents dance. This is the situation that Killian Tillie (23), player of the Memphis Grizzlies, is currently experiencing for more than a dozen games in which he was finally able to take part. However, the youngest of the Tillie siblings was never drafted. After having followed a 100% US training, the former interior of the University of Gonzaga (Washington State) was kind enough to advance on the royal road by trying, in 2020, to be one of the happy elected officials of the great- North American annual mass.

Without success. Despite a strong potential spotted by many observers, the young Frenchie suffered heavy injuries (knee, foot) during his career, robbing him of the dream of any aspiring to professional basketball: to integrate the NBA through the front door.. “It was complicated, I had a very good sophomore year (second year) at university and, afterwards, the injuries prevented me from being really at my level”, explains the interior of Grizz today.

A second chance

“The NBA teams don’t want to take you because of the injuries, they only look at that and not your level of play and that is complicated to digest”, he regrets, bitter. How, then, to bounce back from such disillusion? Since the 2017-2018 season, the Great League has set up the “two-way contract”, a contract allowing North American franchises to bet on two young players by integrating them, in part, into their workforce. In fact, these drafted go to play most of the time in the G-League, anteroom of the NBA, where they face as many competitors in folding seats on the NBA floors. And sometimes the sirens of the biggest championship on the planet call to them.

“I was lucky that Memphis gave me this opportunity”, admits Killian Tillie. For two seasons, the French has therefore defended the colors of the Memphis Hustle, a G-League team affiliated with the Grizzlies. But when the staff of the NBA team feels that the fruit is ripe, the young interior has the opportunity to perform alongside Ja Morant and others, for a maximum of 50 games per year.

The uncertainty of tomorrow

Like his compatriot from Memphis, Jaylen Hoard (22), current member of the OKC Blue (Oklahoma City Thunder G-League team) also tried his luck, during the 2019 Draft. For the same result. However, quickly, the young winger was offered a “two-way contract” by the Portland Trail Blazers. Problem, Portland is one of the few franchises that does not have a G-League team. “I had to go back and forth between Portland and Las Vegas to play with the Legends (affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks). I didn’t mind because I was just happy to play basketball,” ensures the tricolor winger.

But sometimes everything can change in less than 24 hours. “Sometimes, we are warned the day before for the next day that we are going to play in the G-League, and then we are reminded a few days later to come back with the NBA team”, explique Killian Tillie. Jaylen Hoard abonde : “The most complicated to manage is the uncertainty, you never know exactly what situation you are going to be in, whether we are going to call you in the NBA or not. I never had a contract that allowed me to stay in the same town for two years. “

“It’s a bit hard, continues Killian Tillie, like being able to be cut at any time (ending a contract, editor’s note). You really have to adapt and it is true that it is complicated at the beginning. But that’s business and that’s also why we make so much money. “

Because a “two-way contract” is far from leaving its signatories in the straw. Remuneration of between $ 75,000 and $ 275,000 per season (depending on the number of NBA games played) is promised to each player under this plan. Then, if successful, the trip of the potential player can lead to a much juicier guaranteed contract, like Alex Caruso, who initialed a two-year, $ 5.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, after going through the same pattern as Killian Tillie and Jaylen Hoard.

A gateway to the NBA

“I don’t see myself as a ‘two-way contract’ player but as a normal Grizzlies player. And it can give me confidence to think of myself like that”, says Killian Tillie, who now has between 10 and 20 minutes of playing time per game. But with the returns of injury from Brandon Clarke, Jaren Jackson Jr, or Steven Adams, the Frenchman is not delusional: “I’m sure I’m going to have more G-League games this year, but I think it’s really good to work on my moves. I’m a lot more confident when I come back up with the Grizzlies.”

Rather recent, this formula could have changed many careers a few years ago. Former figure of Pro A, then Euroleague player, Paccelis Morlende also dreamed of the flash of the NBA. Multiplying the workouts (training camps), up to 15 different, the ex-Dijonnais managed to be drafted in 50th position during the famous 2003 vintage, that of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

“Looking back, when you see the players, it was already not easy to find a place in this draft, he realizes today. I could have done little 10 day contracts, done the towel porter and just be there, but I needed to play. ” Instead of going back to Europe to prove himself, as he finally did, Paccelis Morlende was in the perfect situation to benefit from a “two-way contract”. Which did not yet exist …

“It would have been easier because this type of contract creates bridges. At the time, you had a guaranteed contract or not, but there weren’t all these options. The alternative of the G-League (formerly D -League) is much more valued now than it was then. There is a better level “, decrypts the retired player. A level that allows these French hopes to show themselves punctually throughout the year, despite a sometimes unsettling course.

“When you are young, you don’t imagine that there are going to be so many steps, concède Jaylen Hoard. But as soon as you get to the NBA it’s more complicated than you thought. “ However, the current OKC Thunder winger persists and signs: “My main goal is to stay in the NBA as long as possible.”

Beyond the constant expectation of a sign from the NBA staff, some also hope to see their phone ring to hear a French voice at the other end of the handset. “I’m thinking of the France team, it’s a goal to represent my country and I really want to play there, admits Killian Tillie. I’m just waiting for a phone call. “