An NBA two-way contract is a special roster designation that allows a player to split time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate. Unlike a standard NBA contract, a two-way deal is designed for developmental players who are not yet full-time NBA roster members but are part of an organization's long-term plans.

Two-way players practice with their NBA team, can be called up to play in regular-season games, and spend the remainder of their time competing in the G League. The contract gives organizations a way to develop talent within their system while giving players NBA-level exposure, coaching, and facilities.

Two-way contracts do not count against a team's 15-man standard roster — they sit on top of it. Each team can carry up to three two-way players in addition to their 15 standard roster spots, bringing the maximum total to 18 players under contract. A two-way contract can be signed either for 1 year or 2 years, depending on the agreement between the team and the player.

As of the 2025–26 NBA season, a two-way contract pays a flat salary of approximately $636,435 for the full season. This figure is set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and increases slightly each year to account for salary growth across the league.

For context, the NBA minimum salary for a standard contract in 2025–26 is $1,272,870. This means a two-way contract pays half of what the lowest-paid standard NBA player earns. While significantly less than a standard NBA deal, a two-way salary is still far more than a typical G League contract, which pays in the range of $40,000–$50,000 per season for most players.

Two-way players may also earn additional compensation through performance bonuses or incentive clauses in certain cases, though the base salary is fixed by the CBA.

Note: Two-way salary figures are updated each season. Check back for the latest numbers, or visit the NBA's official CBA documentation for the most current figures.

Each NBA team is allowed a maximum of three two-way contracts at any given time. These three spots exist in addition to the team's 15 standard roster slots, meaning a fully-loaded NBA roster can have up to 18 players under contract.

Teams are not required to fill every two-way slot. Some teams carry three two-way players throughout the season, while others may carry two or just one depending on their roster needs and developmental pipeline. Teams can also waive a two-way player and sign a replacement during the season if a spot opens.

A two-way player can be active for a maximum of 50 regular-season games per season. If a player signs a two-way contract after the regular season has already begun, that 50-game limit is prorated — the number of days remaining in the season is divided by the total number of days in the season, then multiplied by 50 and rounded to the nearest whole number.

There is also a team-level restriction known as the "under-15" rule. A team cannot have a two-way player active for more than 90 "under-15" games in a season. An "under-15" game is any game in which the team is carrying fewer than 15 players on standard contracts, and each active two-way player counts toward that 90-game limit individually.

For example, if a team with 14 players on standard contracts has all three of its two-way players active for the first 30 games, it would hit the 90-game cap (3 players × 30 games = 90). To free up those two-way players for additional games, the team would need to sign a 15th player to a standard or 10-day contract.

If a team wants a two-way player to be active for more than 50 games, the only option is to convert the player's two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, at which point the player no longer counts as a two-way player and is subject to standard roster rules.

To be eligible for a two-way contract, a player must have three or fewer years of NBA service time. This means that seasoned veterans are not eligible — the designation is specifically designed for younger and less experienced players who are still developing.

Beyond the service-time requirement, the following players commonly sign two-way contracts:

• Undrafted free agents — This is the most common path. Many undrafted players earn two-way contracts after strong Summer League, training camp, or G League performances.
• Second-round draft picks — Second-round selections frequently sign two-way deals. For teams, this is an efficient way to develop a draft pick at a lower salary while retaining their rights. For the player, it provides a guaranteed NBA affiliation and a clear development path.
• G League standouts — Players who perform well in the G League may earn a two-way contract with an NBA team mid-season.
• International players — Players coming from overseas leagues who haven't yet accumulated NBA service time are also eligible.

First-round draft picks and veterans with more than four years of service time are not eligible for two-way contracts. However, former first-round picks who have completed or been released from their original rookie-scale contracts may still sign a two-way contract if they still meet the service eligibility rules.

Yes, but with restrictions. An NBA player on a two-way contract can be traded to another team, however there are specific limitations that apply.

The most notable restriction is a 30-day waiting period — a two-way player cannot be traded until at least 30 days after signing their contract. This prevents teams from immediately flipping a newly signed two-way player in a deal.

Additionally, when a two-way player is traded, the deal does not generate a trade exception for the team trading them away. Trade exceptions are a useful cap tool that teams normally receive when they send out more salary than they take back in a trade, but this benefit does not apply to two-way contracts.

It's also worth noting that a two-way player's contract can be converted to a standard NBA contract at any point during the season. Once converted, the player is subject to the same trade rules as any other player on a standard deal.

No. Two-way players are not eligible to appear in NBA playoff games. This is one of the most significant limitations of a two-way contract.

If a team wants a two-way player to be available for the postseason, they must convert that player's contract to a standard NBA deal before the playoff roster deadline. Teams do this regularly — if a two-way player has been a meaningful contributor during the regular season, the team will often convert their deal to ensure they're available for the playoff run.

This rule creates a natural decision point for teams each spring: is this two-way player valuable enough to warrant a full roster spot and a standard contract for the playoffs?

Several current NBA contributors began their careers on two-way contracts, proving that the system works as a legitimate pathway to the league. Notable examples include:

• Duncan Robinson — Went undrafted in 2018, signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, and developed into one of the league's premier three-point shooters. He eventually earned a five-year, $90 million contract.
• Luguentz Dort — Signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder after going undrafted in 2019, became a full-time starter known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract, and went on to win an NBA championship.
• Alex Caruso — Signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, became a fan favorite for his hustle and defensive intensity, and went on to win two NBA championships. He has since established himself as one of the most respected perimeter defenders in the NBA.
• Max Strus — Went undrafted in 2019 and signed two-way contracts with the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls before landing a two-way deal with the Miami Heat. In Miami, Strus developed into a key rotation player and playoff contributor, eventually earning a four-year, $63.2 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Jose Alvarado — Went undrafted and signed a two-way deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, where his tenacious defense quickly made him a fan favorite and earned him a standard contract.

These success stories illustrate why two-way contracts matter — they give overlooked players a real shot at building an NBA career.

Two-way contracts were introduced in the 2017–18 NBA season as part of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

The NBA created two-way contracts to solve several problems at once:

• Strengthening the NBA-to-G-League pipeline. Before two-way contracts, the connection between the NBA and its developmental league was informal and inconsistent. Two-way deals gave teams a structured way to develop players in the G League while keeping them formally tied to the NBA organization.
• Providing more opportunities for fringe players. Many talented players fell through the cracks between the NBA and the G League. Two-way contracts created a middle ground — better pay and resources than a G League-only deal, with real NBA exposure and playing time.
• Expanding roster flexibility for teams. By adding roster spots that don't count against the standard 15-man limit, the NBA gave teams more room to develop young talent without having to make difficult roster cuts.