Central Division Players Under 2-way Contracts

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

Chicago Bulls

Ryan Arcidiacono

College: Villanova

6’3” 195 lbs.

Signed as 2016 undrafted free agent by Spurs

Signed 2-way contract: July 25, 2017

Ryan Arcidiancono is a proven winner that has good size to play point guard in the NBA. He does struggle with length that hurts him when driving towards the basket. He has trouble shooting over bigger players or seeing an open man to kick out to. That is one of the reasons he has attempted more three point shots than twos in his career. He has a good change of pace but his overall quickness and athleticism is an issue. He uses his strong basketball IQ to make good decisions out of pick and rolls.

On the defensive end, Arcidiancono was a scrappy defender in college but will have to adjust to guarding much quicker players at the pro level. Other attributes that will help him is the fact he is a great communicator, hard worker, he has a “leave it all on the floor” mentality, and has solid fundamentals.

Antonio Blakeney

College: LSU

6’4” 197 lbs.

Signed as 2017 undrafted free agent by Bulls

Signed 2-way contract: July14, 2017

Antonio Blakeney is an explosive, athletic guard that is always looking to attack the basket. He has a very quick first step and goes to the rim hard. He is best in the open court in transition. He has a score first mentality.He can be electrifying one play and struggle the very next play. His decision making on offense will need to improve to cut down on turnovers and tough shots. His outside shot can be better and becoming more consistent from three could help open up his ability to get to the rim even more.

Blakeney has the physical tools to be a very good defender but he has lapses on defense.His lateral quickness and length would cause a huge problem for ball handlers and jump shooter if he would play defense at a high level consistently. He rebounds well for a guard and is able to push the ball up to start the break. Blakeney is athletic enough to make it to the NBA but he needs to improve on some mental aspects to stay on a roster.

Cleveland Cavs

John Holland

College: Boston University

6’5” 205 lbs.

Signed as 2011 undrafted free agent by Spurs

Signed 2-way contract: September 8, 2017

John Holland is a prolific shooter that does many things well on the court. He can knock down shots off the catch or dribble. He has a quick first step that allows him to get in the paint to make a play for himself or a teammate. He is not a flashy player but just gets things done. He plays under control. Holland does not try to do anything out of his skillset and that helps make him a more effective player.

Holland’s defense is similar to his offense in that he understands his strengths and uses them to the best of his ability. He tries to outwork an opponent with proper positioning and sound fundamentals. He stays active and scrappy on defense to make up for his average lateral quickness. Holland’s high basketball IQ and intensity are two things every NBA team could use.

London Perrantes

College: Virginia

6’2” 190 lbs.

Signed as 2017 undrafted free agent by Spurs

Signed 2-way contract: October 18, 2017

London Perrantes is a pass first point guard who has to prove he can adjust to the NBA. He must first overcome his height and lack of length. He has the ability to run a team and get everyone involved in the offense. Perrantes does not shoot often but knocks down a high percentage from three. He is able to get to the rim but struggles scoring against bigger players who help up.

Perrantes plays tough on the defensive end to make up for his lack of size. He blends a great understanding of team defense and a hard nosed attitude to stop the offense from scoring. Playing at defensive minded Virginia in college should give him an advantage over other players fighting for roster spots. His defense is something the Cavs could use right now.

Detroit Pistons

Luis Montero

College: Westchester CC

6’7” 190 lbs.

Signed as 2015 undrafted free agent by Trail Blazers

Signed 2-way contract: July 25, 2017

Luis Montero is able to play three positions due to his size and his ball handling. He can score at the rim with both hands and knock down the open three. He is just as good getting his teammates involved as he is creating scoring chances for himself. Montero is still learning the game and part of that process will need to be better shot selection.

The native of the Dominican is a long athlete who can defend both guard positions. When he becomes stronger and more acclimated to the pro game he will be able to defend small forwards as well. He is definitely a player whose game translates to today’s NBA with his size and versatility. The aspect missing from Montero’s game is experience playing at a high level. In due time, he should be a contributing member of the Pistons.

Dwight Buycks

College: Marquette

6’3” 190 lbs.

Signed as 2011 undrafted free agent by Suns

Signed 2-way contract: September 12, 2017

Dwight Buycks has been a professional player since 2011 but can still sign a 2-way contract because he has not accrued over 4 years as a NBA player. He can shoot off the catch or dribble with deep range. Buycks can get to the rim and finishes well around the basket. He likes to have the ball in his hands with the clock running down. He has a nice hesitation dribble move and uses a quick explosion of speed to create space for a shot. He can get to the ball teammates off the pass but prefers to score first.

The former MVP of the French Pro A League is a hard nosed defender that will pressure the ball handler into a turnover. He has the ability to set the tone with his defensive play. He is a smart defender who is able to anticipate where the ball is going to be passed to. This allows him to get easy steals on the defensive end.

Indiana Pacers

Alex Poythress

College: Kentucky

6’8” 238 lbs.

Signed as 2016 undafted free agent by Pacers

Signed 2-way contract: August 22, 2017

Alex Poythres was slowed by an ACL injury in college and is still trying to develop into an NBA player. He is an athletic rim runner that has a good NBA body. He has a knack for being around the rim. That allows him to clean up the glass on the offensive rim or catch a lob when his defender must help over. His ability to get garbage points could make him a nice role player. He still needs to improve ball handling and his outside shot.

Poythres is a versatile defender who can guard several positions. In college, he thrived as a help defender around the rim that was able to use his leaping ability to contest/block shots. His lateral movement has improved and will help him as he defends perimeter players.

Edmund Sumner

College: Xavier

6’5” 180 lbs.

2017 52nd pick by Pelicans

Signed 2-way contract: July 5, 2017

Edmond Sunmer is a versatile, athletic combo guard that has the ability to help a team out numerous ways. He thrives scoring off the dribble and gets to the foul line often. Once he gets going downhill he is tough to stop. He tends to turn the ball over too often and needs to improve scoring around the rim. Sumner seems to lose focus at times during a game. He needs to work on his shooting form to make his outside shot more consistent.

Sumner is an aggressive defender. Hi size and length allows him to pressure the ball and make it tough on ball handlers. He could eventually defend some bigger shooting guards as his body fills out. Sumner has a knack for being in the passing lanes to get deflections and steals.The versatility of Sumner should help him make an impact to the Pacers roster.

Milwaukee Bucks

Joel Bolomboy

College: Weber State

6’9” 235 lbs.

2016 52nd pick by Jazz

Signed 2-way contract: October 20, 2017

Joel Bolomboy earned some impressive awards as the Big Sky player of the year and was 2 time defensive player of the year, He is a very exciting athlete to watch around the rim. He is explosives to the rim and can quickly get a crowd excited. His outside shot is a work in progress. Bolomboy did not attempt a three as a freshman but improved enough to make almost 2 a game as a senior. His midrange jump shot makes him a threat from 15 feet. He will need to continue to improve in order to play forward in the NBA.

Bolomboy uses the same explosiveness on the defensive end to block shot. He also owned the glass in college. He rebounded 31% of all defensive rebounds. He would need to add some lower body strength that will help him defend better. Bolomboy has a high motor and plays very aggressive. Those are two intangibles that could help him make a contribution when he is called up by the Bucks.

Gary Payton II

College: Oregon State

6’3” 190 lbs.

Signed as 2016 undrafted free agent by Rockets

Signed 2-way contract: October 17, 2017

Gary Payton II is a very athletic left-handed player that has the proper NBA bloodlines being the son of Hall of Famer, Gary Payton. He is very good in the open court but struggles being a consistent shooter. Payton moves well without the ball and finishes well around the rim. His court vision allows him to find open teammates. He is able to give team’s extra offensive possessions with his ability to rebound the ball.

The former Pac 12 defensive player of the year makes who does a good job of keeping ball handlers in front of him. That ability to play great on ball defense was definitely passed down from his father. He understands defensive positioning and puts himself in place to get steals or take charges