The NBA and the newly-named G League have created two-way contracts that will allow NBA roster sizes to expand from 15 to 17. Leave it to the Warriors to jump on the new rule and take advantage of it in the early going. It was reported almost immediately after last month’s draft that Golden State would ink Oregon forward Chris Boucher to a two-way deal, and the team made the news official Friday afternoon.
The two-way deal will allow Boucher to move freely between the Warriors and their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, provided that Boucher doesn’t accrue more than 45 days in the NBA during the season. He tore his ACL in March though, so he won’t be expected to hit the court in the beginning of the season anyway.
In two years at Oregon, the six-foot-eleven Boucher averaged 12 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He was named to the Pac 12 All-Defensive Team as a senior and missed the last month of the season, including his team’s run to the Final Four. Coincidentally, his absence allowed teammate and Warriors’ second round pick Jordan Bell to step up and boost his own draft stock in the postseason.
Before the injury, Boucher was projected by most to be selected in the draft, but he slipped out. The two-way deal is one of the next best things to being drafted though, as he will be officially part of the Warriors’ 17-man roster. Golden State can still sign one more player to a two-way deal, and that spot may go to someone currently on their Summer League roster, or another player. Two-way deals allow players to make between $75,000 and $250,000 per season depending on how much time they spend in the NBA.
When Boucher does come around to getting healthy, expect him to get loose in Santa Cruz before ultimately receiving a look in the Dubs’ crowded frontcourt that has a mix of youngsters and veterans.
