Atlantic Division 2 Way Players

***This is the second installment in the series taking a closer look at the new 2-way contracts that has been instituted by the NBA this season.***

Boston Celtics

Kadeem Allen

College: Arizona

6’3” 205 lbs.

2017 52nd pick by Celtics

Signed 2-way contract: July19, 2017

Kadeem Allen joins the Boston Celtics as a highly touted defensive player who was named to the PAC-12 All Defensive team and led the team in steals with 53. Allen has the ability to guard both guard positions and smaller forwards. He is a hard-nosed defender, quick and long, who likes to play physical.

On offense, Allen still needs work but has the ability to get to the rim. He averaged 9.8 points and 3 assists per game in his senior season as a Wildcat. The right-handed player drives left most of the time and can finish strong around the basket. Allen has a nice pull up jump shot but needs to continue to improve his outside shot. In college, he thrived in making baskets with the shot clock running down. In order to play point guard in the NBA, Allen needs to tighten up his ball handling and passing ability. His future will be dictated if he is willing to be a defensive stopper for the Celtics.

Jabari Bird

College: California

6’6” 198 lbs.

2017 56th pick by Celtics

Signed 2-way contract: September 5, 2017

Jabari Bird is an exciting player that can score in many ways. He has the ability to score in spurts. The athletic wing has a good outside shot and is not afraid to put it up. He is an aggressive scorer and will need to work on shot selection. He was Pac-12 Honorable Mention while leading the Golden Bears in scoring at 14.3 points per game in his senior year. His ability to pass and dribble will need improvement. He will have to work on his attacking off the dribble to get by NBA level players in order elevate his game offensively.

Bird’s small frame hurts him on the defensive end when going against stronger players. He will need to add strength to be an effective defender. He is able to use his athletic ability to make up for his lack of strength. The addition of any muscle will help Bird make the jump from a 2-way player to full time NBA player.

Brooklyn Nets

Jacob Wiley

College: Eastern Washington

6’8” 213 lbs.

Signed as 2017 undrafted free agent by Nets

Signed 2-way contract: August 14, 2017

Jacob Wiley is a high motor player that can excite the crowd with his athletic play. The reigning Big Sky player of the year has several post moves that he can get to the basket with. He finishes strong around the rim. He also puts teammates in position to score with his ability to pass out of the post. Wiley needs to become more of an outside shooting threat and cut down on turnovers.

Wiley is a good rebounder that averaged 9.1 rebounds his senior year. His proficient shot blocking can be attested to his length and athleticism. Wiley will overplay at times and it causes him to get into foul trouble. He was also a 2 time NAIA All American while playing at Lewis-Clark State College. With continued improvement, look for Jacob Wiley to be a sleeper in the class of 2017.

Yakuba Ouattara

Last Club: AS Monaco (France)

6’3” 185 lbs.

Signed as 2017 undrafted free agent by Nets

Signed 2-way contract: July 21, 2017

Yakuba Outtara is a native of Ghana that has played professionally in France since 2012. He has established himself as a proficient catch and shoot three point threat. Outtara is a strong athlete who is a very good offensive rebounding guard and explosive dunker. He needs to improve on his ability to shoot off the dribble and attacking the rim.

Outtara will need to become more active on the defensive end. He relies on athletic ability to play defense much of the time. He does have a knack of being in the right position to get a steal or pick up a loose ball. As a player who is older (25), Outtara’s NBA window may be smaller then most of the other 2-way players. He is going to need to play well while making the adjustment to living in America.

New York Knicks

Luke Kornet

College: Vanderbilt

7’1” 250 lbs.

Signed as 2017 undrafted free agent by Knicks

Signed 2-way contract: July 3, 2017

Luke Kornet grew 7 inches between his junior and senior year of high school. This gives him a unique skill set because he has the capability to shoot from outside like a guard. Kornet will stretch the defense due to his three point shooting. He finishes well around the rim but has a tendency to float away from the basket. Kornet averaged 13.2 ppg/6.2 rpg as a 1st team all conference and all defensive team in the Southeastern Conference. He will create matchup problems for NBA defenses for his ability to be a stretch 5

Kornets’s defensive mobility could be an issue in the NBA. He struggles to guard the pick and roll. He would not get pushed around in the post (on defense) as much with an increase in lower body strength. Kornet would also not be able to guard a perimeter player. He used his length to average 2.0 blocks per game in his senior season as a Commodore. He has a high basketball IQ that helps him make up for his lack of mobility.

Philadelphia 76ers

James Michael McAdoo

College: North Carolina

6’9” 230 lbs.

Signed as 2014 undrafted free agent by Warriors

Signed 2-way contract: August 29, 2017

James Michael McAdoo would be considered a seasoned veteran compared to many of the other 2-way players. He is in his fourth year in the league and has spent time between Golden State and Santa Cruz of the G-League. Even earning 2 championship rings with the Warriors and one with Santa Cruz.

McAdoo is a player that has relied on his athletic ability for his entire career. Has not really developed skills that would make him a regular contributor to an NBA roster. He is great off the bounce and has a great ability to rebound at both ends. He finishes strong with either hand and gets to the foul line often. He lacks a consistent outside game even though he has nice form with a high release. He also needs more back to the basket moves. McAdoo has had his lack of discipline and focus questioned in the past.

He has good lateral quickness and is able to guard different sized NBA forwards. McAdoo’s defensive ability has been known to keep him on the floor even when his offensive game is not productive. He is a very active defender and has a knack for getting steals off the ball. McAdoo has the tools to help out the 76ers, he just has to put them all together on a more consistent basis when his number is called.

Toronto Raptors

Lorenzo Brown

College: North Carolina State

6’5” 189 lbs.

2013 562nd pick by Timberwolves

Signed 2-way contract: July 25, 2017

Lorenzo Brown is great athlete that is explosive in the open court. His body type is an advantage as an NBA point guard. He court vision allows him to put other players in position to score. He needs to make better decisions and cut down on turnovers. He uses his quickness to get attack the rim. His outside shot and mid range shot needs to improve so teams do not play him to only drive.

His long arms allow him to be an aggressive defender. He makes ball handlers earn their way up court. He is able to guard either guard position. He is a great rebounding guard. When his offense is not working, he is able to affect a game with defense and rebounding.

Malcolm Miller

College: Holy Cross

6’7” 210 lbs.

Signed as 2015 undrafted free agent by Celtics

Signed 2-way contract: July 9, 2017

The Raptors must have a high opinion of Malcolm Miller because he had surgery (9 days after signing his 2-way contract) on his ankle after spraining it in the Las Vegas summer league. He will miss up 12 weeks due to the injury. He comes to the Raptors after playing professionally in Germany for Alba Berlin. Miller is a long, athletic forward that is able to finish with an explosive dunk or in traffic at the rim. Miller also has the capability to knock down the open three with consistency. He is also good on the offensive glass.

Miller thrives on the defensive end. He is very active and uses his length to get deflections and steals. He also makes it tough for an offensive player to get a clean shot off. His help/recovery to block shots keeps the other team from scoring what could be easy baskets. The Raptors should be pleased once Miller returns from injury.