Hawks To Sign Lamont Butler To Two-Way Contract
After going undrafted this week, Kentucky guard Lamont Butler is headed to the Hawks on a two-way contract, according to reports from Bill O’Rear (Twitter link) and Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
Butler, known for his defensive acumen, played for San Diego State for four seasons before transferring to Kentucky in 2024. He earned a spot on the Mountain West All-Defensive team for three straight years from 2022-24 and won the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024.
In 2024/25, as a “super senior,” Butler started all 27 games he played for the Wildcats, averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 26.0 minutes per game, with a solid shooting line of .498/.391/.735. Those shooting percentages were all well above his previous career rates.
A two-way contract would pay Butler roughly $636K if he remains on the roster long enough for it to become fully guaranteed and would make him eligible to play in up to 50 NBA regular season games.
The Hawks previously agreed to terms on a two-way deal with Eli John Ndiaye and are carrying over Daeqwon Plowden on a two-year, two-way contract, so they’ve tentatively filled all three of their two-way slots. However, those spots often remain in flux up until the start of the regular season, since they don’t count against the cap.
Trail Blazers, Andrew Carr Agree To Exhibit 10 Deal
The Trail Blazers and undrafted rookie free agent Andrew Carr have reached an agreement on an Exhibit 10 contract, reports Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link).
Carr spent the last five college years playing college basketball, including two seasons with Delaware, two with Wake Forest, and a “super senior” season with Kentucky in 2024/25. The 6’9″ forward started 29 of 35 games he played for the Wildcats, averaging 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 24.0 minutes per contest, with a .544/.324/.748 shooting line.
Carr’s three-point shot was inconsistent over the course of his college career — he made at least 37.1% of his attempts in two seasons and no more than 32.4% in the other three years. However, his ability to stretch the floor is considered a strength, along with his defensive versatility and smarts, Givony writes. The 23-year-old was ranked 95th on ESPN’s last pre-draft big board and places 38th among the prospects who weren’t drafted.
Exhibit 10 contracts, which are one-year, non-guaranteed deals that don’t count against the cap until the regular season, can be converted into two-way contracts prior to the start of the season. However, Givony’s report refers to Carr playing for the Rip City Remix, which suggests he’ll likely become an affiliate player for the Blazers’ G League squad rather than making Portland’s 18-man regular season roster.
In that scenario, Carr would be eligible to earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $85K if he spends at least 60 days with the Remix.
2025 NBA Draft Results
The 2025 NBA draft is in the books, and we tracked all of this year’s picks in the space below, taking into account each trade agreed upon over the course of the draft. Picks listed in italics are involved in trades that aren’t official yet.
Here are 2025’s NBA draft results:
First round
(Wednesday, June 25)
- Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke (story)
- San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers (story)
- Philadelphia 76ers: V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor (story)
- Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke (story)
- Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers (story)
- Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson, G, Texas (story)
- New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma (story)
- Brooklyn Nets: Egor Demin, G/F, BYU (story)
- Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles, F/C, South Carolina (story)
- Phoenix Suns (via Rockets): Khaman Maluach, C, Duke (story)
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Trail Blazers): Cedric Coward, F, Washington State (story)
- Chicago Bulls: Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm (story)
- New Orleans Pelicans (from Kings via Hawks): Derik Queen, C, Maryland (story)
- San Antonio Spurs (from Hawks): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona (story)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Heat): Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown (story)
- Portland Trail Blazers (from Magic via Trail Blazers): Hansen Yang, C, Qingado (story)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Pistons): Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (story)
- Utah Jazz (from Grizzlies via Wizards): Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida (story)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Bucks): Nolan Traore, G, Saint-Quentin (story)
- Miami Heat (from Warriors): Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois (story)
- Washington Wizards (from Timberwolves via Jazz): Will Riley, G/F, Illinois (story)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Lakers via Hawks): Drake Powell, G/F, North Carolina (story)
- Atlanta Hawks (from Pacers via Pelicans): Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia (story)
- Sacramento Kings (from Clippers via Thunder): Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State (story)
- Orlando Magic (from Nuggets): Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State (story)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Knicks): Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm (story)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Rockets): Danny Wolf, F, Michigan (story)
- Boston Celtics: Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid (story)
- Charlotte Hornets (from Cavaliers via Suns): Liam McNeeley, G/F, UConn (story)
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Thunder): Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State (story)
Second round
(Thursday, June 26)
- Phoenix Suns (from Jazz via Timberwolves): Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s
- Orlando Magic (from Wizards via Celtics): Noah Penda, F, Le Mans
- Charlotte Hornets: Sion James, F, Duke
- Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans): Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
- Philadelphia 76ers: Johni Broome, C, Auburn
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Nets via Suns and Timberwolves): Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
- Detroit Pistons (from Raptors): Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
- Indiana Pacers (from Spurs): Kameron Jones, G, Marquette
- Toronto Raptors (from Trail Blazers): Alijah Martin, G, Florida
- New Orleans Pelicans (from Suns via Wizards): Micah Peavy, G/F, Georgetown
- Phoenix Suns (from Heat via Warriors): Koby Brea, G/F, Kentucky
- Sacramento Kings (from Bulls): Maxime Raynaud, C, Stanford
- Washington Wizards (from Mavericks via Jazz): Jamir Watkins, G/F, Florida State
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Hawks): Brooks Barnhizer, F, Northwestern
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Kings via Bulls and Lakers): Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane
- Boston Celtics (from Magic): Amari Williams, C, Kentucky
- Milwaukee Bucks (from Pistons): Bogoljub Markovic, F/C, Mega Basket
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Warriors): Javon Small, G, West Virginia
- Cleveland Cavaliers (from Bucks): Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Grizzlies via Knicks): Kobe Sanders, G/F, Nevada
- New York Knicks (from Timberwolves via Clippers): Mohamed Diawara, F, Cholet
- Golden State Warriors (from Nuggets via Suns): Alex Toohey, F, Sydney
- Utah Jazz (from Clippers): John Tonje, F, Wisconsin
- Indiana Pacers: Taelon Peter, G, Liberty
- Chicago Bulls (from Lakers): Lachlan Olbrich, F/C, Illawarra
- Golden State Warriors (from Rockets via Grizzlies): Will Richard, G, Florida
- Boston Celtics (from Celtics via Magic): Max Shulga, G, VCU
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Saliou Niang, G/F, Trento
- Memphis Grizzlies (from Thunder via Rockets, Suns, and Warriors): Jahmai Mashack, G/F, Tennessee
Celtics’ Zarren Dismisses Brown, White Rumors
As the Celtics work this offseason to move below the restrictive second tax apron, there has been some speculation about the possibility that the team would be willing to trade stars Jaylen Brown and/or Derrick White as part of its roster overhaul.
While most reporting on the subject has indicated that Boston has no desire to move either player and is simply listening in case a potential trade partner makes a massive offer, Celtics vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren believes even those reports have overstated the team’s interest in making a deal involving Brown or White.
“Those two guys are really, really great NBA players, and there hasn’t been anything close to serious about trading them,” Zarren said, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. “I’m not sure where all this reporting came from but those guys are key parts of our team, and we’re lucky to have them here.”
Zarren’s comments may not entirely shut down speculation about Brown and White, but if the Celtics were going to move one of them this offseason, it likely would’ve happened before or during the first round of the draft, when lottery picks could have been in play.
Having agreed to separate deals involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston no longer faces the same level of urgency to continue shedding salary, though role players like Sam Hauser and newly acquired Anfernee Simons continue to be mentioned as possible trade candidates.
The Raptors were one of the teams that inquired about White, Zach Lowe of The Ringer confirmed on Thursday in an episode of his podcast (hat tip to Brian Robb of MassLive).
“There were reports that the Raptors offered the No. 9 pick for Derrick White,” Lowe said. “I’m told that’s true but that it happened a month and a half ago after Jayson Tatum got hurt, and Boston laughed at that offer and said, ‘We need way more than No. 9 for Derrick White.'”
Draft Notes: Proctor, Niang, Markovic, Grizzlies, Olbrich, Shulga
The Cavaliers intend to sign No. 49 overall pick Tyrese Proctor to a multiyear NBA contract, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). While most players in Proctor’s draft range will likely get two-way deals, the Cavs will benefit from a luxury tax perspective from having Proctor on their 15-man roster on the rookie minimum. They were also thrilled that they were able to draft him late in the second round.
“We had him almost as a first-round grade, so for him to fall to 49 was something we were very excited about,” general manager Mike Gansey said, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “… He came over to Duke a year earlier probably than he should have. We ended up seeing him at his pro day in California in May and I think he put on about 10 or 11 pounds, so he’s definitely worked on his body. Great kid and a worker.”
As for No. 58 pick Saliou Niang, the plan is for the Senegalese wing to spend next season in the EuroLeague with Virtus Bologna, says Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter link). It remains to be seen whether or not Niang will be on the Cavs’ Summer League team, Fedor writes in another Cleveland.com story.
“The last two seasons he’s gotten a lot better. The strides he has made have been pretty incredible,” Gansey said of Niang. “It’ll be a great opportunity for him to play at the highest level over there and we’ll be tracking him and keeping tabs on him.”
We have more on the contract situations for several second-round picks:
- Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s draft, Bucks assistant general manager Milt Newton said the team isn’t sure yet whether No. 47 overall pick Bogoljub Markovic will be stashed overseas or whether he’ll be in Milwaukee next season, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Either way, Markovic will join the team for Summer League, according to Newton.
- Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian (Twitter link) expects No. 48 pick Javon Small to end up on a two-way contract with the Grizzlies, but isn’t certain what the future holds for Jahmai Mashack. The No. 59 pick may be competing for a two-way deal during Summer League, Herrington adds.
- As Givony first reported on ESPN’s draft broadcast, Australian forward/center Lachlan Olbrich, the 55th overall pick on Thursday, is expected to come stateside and sign a two-way contract with the Bulls, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network. Olbrich, 21, has been competing in Australia’s National Basketball League since 2021, so he already has a good deal of professional experience.
- The third of three prospects drafted by the Celtics this week, No. 57 pick Max Shulga will be on a two-way contract with the team in 2025/26, reports Givony (Twitter link). Boston drafted Shulga with one of the picks the team acquired from Orlando earlier in the evening.
Pacers Adding Johnson, Ashworth, Felton On Exhibit 10 Deals
Big man Samson Johnson is signing with the Pacers, league sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Indiana will also be signing guards Steven Ashworth and RJ Felton, according to reports from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter links).
All three undrafted free agents will be signing non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts, confirms Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star (Twitter links).
A native of Togo, Johnson won a back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024 as a role player for the Huskies. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 19.4 minutes per contest as a senior last season (34 games).
Point guard Ashworth spent three years at Utah State before spending his final two years at Creighton. As a “super senior” in 2024/25, he averaged 16.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG and a Big East-best 6.8 APG in 35 games (36.0 MPG) for the Blue Jays. He made 37.4% of his long-range looks (8.4 attempts) and 93.0% of his free throws, an elite number.
Felton, who played four years of college ball at East Carolina, averaged 18.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.2 SPG on .414/.376/.743 shooting splits in 30 games (34.5 MPG) last season for the Pirates.
Players who sign Exhibit 10 deals can receive a bonus of up to $85K if they’re waived and spend at least 60 days with their team’s G league affiliate (the Noblesville Boom, in Indiana’s case). Exhibit 10 contracts can also be converted into two-way deals.
Cavaliers, Chaney Johnson Agree To Exhibit 10 Contract
The Cavaliers and former Auburn forward Chaney Johnson, an undrafted free agent, have agreed to an Exhibit 10 training camp contract, sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
As Fedor notes, the 6’7″ wing proved to be a critical contributor for the Tigers during the club’s Final Four run this spring.
In 2024/25, he averaged 9.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.9 BPG and 0.7 SPG across 38 contests, mostly as a reserve. Johnson connected on 56.7% of his field goals and 70.4% of his free throws.
Players inked to Exhibit 10 contracts can be promoted to two-way deals ahead of an NBA season. Johnson could become eligible for a bonus worth up to $85K should he join the Cavaliers’ NBAGL affiliate, the Cleveland Charge, and stick with the club for 60 or more days.
Cleveland selected two players in the second round of this year’s draft, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor and Trento wing Saliou Niang, with the Nos. 49 and 58 picks. We have more details on the Cavs’ plans for that duo right here.
Sixers Sign Igor Milicic Jr. To Exhibit 10 Contract
July 9: The Sixers have announced that their Exhibit 10 deal with Milicic is official, tweets Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports.
June 27: After going undrafted, Tennessee’s Igor Milicic Jr. has agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers, reports Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress (Twitter link).
Milicic bounced around during his four college seasons, spending one year with Virginia, two at Charlotte, and one with the Volunteers before becoming automatically draft-eligible this spring. The 6’10” forward, whom Chepkevich lauds for his “two-way versatility,” averaged 9.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 25.4 minutes per game across 37 starts for Tennessee as a senior.
Milicic was the No. 70 prospect on ESPN’s final big board entering the draft and ranks 18th among the players who went undrafted.
Milicic is the second undrafted rookie said to have reached a contract agreement with the 76ers, who are reportedly signing Hunter Sallis to a two-way deal. Milicic’s contract will be entirely non-guaranteed, but could pay him a bonus worth up to $85K if he’s waived before the season begins and then spends at least 60 days with Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
It’s also possible Milicic will get an opportunity to vie for a two-way contract, since an Exhibit 10 deal can be converted into a two-way prior to the regular season.
Kings To Sign Isaac Nogues To Exhibit 10 Deal
The Kings are signing Isaac Nogues, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link), who says the Spanish guard will have a chance to compete for a two-way spot.
James Ham of The Kings Beat confirms (via Twitter) that Nogues, who went undrafted tonight, will be inking a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal with Sacramento for training camp.
Entering the draft, Nogues was ranked No. 74 on ESPN’s big board and held the No. 91 spot on the big board of Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.
Nogues spent this past season playing in the NBA G League with the Rip City Remix, Portland’s affiliate. He made 40 combined appearances for the Remix in 2024/25, averaging 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals in 21.1 minutes per game. Nogues was named to the NBAGL’s All-Defensive team and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
At 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan, Nogues possesses ideal size and length for a point guard, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony writes, and he’s a tenacious defender who contributes in multiple areas. The catch is that the 21-year-old is almost a total non-scorer, having averaged just 2.5 points on .474/.316/.542 shooting splits.
Nogues could earn a bonus worth up to $85K if he’s waived by the Kings before ’25/26 begins and spends at least 60 days with their NBAGL affiliate in Stockton. As Fischer noted, Exhibit 10 deals can also be converted to two-way contracts.
Sean Pedulla Signing Exhibit 10 Deal With Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers will complete an Exhibit 10 training camp deal with Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla, Pedulla’s agent, George Langberg of GSL Sports Group, informs Jon Chepkevich of DraftExpress.com (via Twitter).
A 2024 All-ACC honoree at Virginia Tech, Pedulla transferred to Mississippi for his senior season in 2024/25. The 6’1″ guard averaged 15.4 points, 3.8 dimes, 3.5 boards, and 1.9 steals across 36 contests for Ole Miss. For his efforts, Pedulla was named an All-SEC third-teamer.
Portland traded down to select Chinese center Hansen Yang with the No. 16 pick in the first round of the draft on Wednesday. Yang was the Trail Blazers’ only pick in either round, but the club also reached an agreement with another undrafted free agent, former Arizona guard Caleb Love, on a two-way deal.
Pedulla will look to earn a two-way promotion of his own with Portland through Summer League and the preseason. If he is ultimately waived, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85K — provided he stays with the Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, for at least 60 days.