Could Yuki Kawamura get Grizzlies' final two-way contract? A look at the competition
Decision day is approaching for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The recent signing of point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. filled the NBA requirement of having 14 players on standard contracts by the start of the regular season. That decision also opened a spot for Memphis to sign a player to a two-way contract.
NBA teams have until Saturday (4 p.m. CT) to waive players on non-guaranteed contracts without picking up a per day cap hit.
Center Jay Huff and rookie second-round pick Cam Spencer occupy two of the three two-way slots.
Like the Grizzlies did with Pippen, the most likely route would be promoting someone internally. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Wednesday is discussing who could fill the slot. Earlier this month, he called it an "open competition."
Yuki Kawamura, Armando Bacot, Miye Oni and Maozinha Pereira have been with the Grizzlies through the entire preseason on non-guaranteed exhibit 10 deals. They represent the most likely candidates to be promoted.
Yuki Kawamura
Kawamura has played the most of the players on non-guaranteed contracts, and a strong argument can be made that he’s been the most productive. His passing skills have led to two games of at least seven assists. He knocked down three 3-pointers on Monday versus the Pacers to show some scoring potential. The point guard is only 5-foot-8, but he has a strong chance at securing the final two-way spot based on his production and needed point guard depth.
Maozinha Pereira
Pereira is probably Kawamura’s best competition for the final spot. The 6-8 Brazilian forward is a dynamic athlete who can defend and rebound at a high level. Those two strengths just so happen to be among the biggest things being emphasized by the Grizzlies. It also doesn’t hurt that Pereira has made 3 of 5 preseason 3-pointers and had multiple games of seven or more rebounds. He’s also the only player on an exhibit 10 deal who spent time with Memphis last season.
Armando Bacot
The first of two long shots, Bacot’s biggest advantage may be playing a position that could use more depth. The 6-10 center has played sparingly through the preseason. Outside of Zach Edey, Memphis doesn’t have another center expected to be a dominant rebounder. Bacot is the ACC’s all-time rebounding leader.
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Miye Oni
Oni has three seasons of NBA experience, which is what separates him from the other candidates. He hasn’t received much playing time in the preseason, but he’s had strong moments. Oni scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers in the win against the Chicago Bulls.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies roster: Will Yuki Kawamura get final two-way spot?
