Advertisement

4 undrafted rookies (Isaiah Stevens!) who deserve two-way roster spots after NBA Summer League

Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat were named NBA 2K25 Summer League champions and during the tournament, several undrafted free agents stood out.

While there is a break between now and when training camp begins, there are quite a few players around the league who proved that they have what it takes to play at the next level during summer competition. A few already have invitations to training camps due to their Exhibition-10 contracts, but others are vying for an invite to fight for a two-way roster spot.

Here are a few of the players that should get a nod from a team sooner rather than later.

MORE:

1. Isaiah Stevens

(Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
(Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)

TEAM: Miami Heat

PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Colorado State

Based on the final big board from The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, Colorado State's Isaiah Stevens was the second-best undrafted free agent not to sign a two-way contract after the 2024 NBA Draft. The Athletic's John Hollinger had Stevens as the third-best.

His floor impact counter (FIC) was the highest among all undrafted free agents (70.4) and the highest among all players not drafted in the first round, per RealGM, trailing only Miami teammate Kel'el Ware and Cleveland's Jaylon Tyson.

He was plainly fantastic en route to winning the NBA 2K25 Summer League championship for Miami, averaging 8.8 points and 6.9 assists per game with some impressive passing while shooting 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) on 3-pointers.

During one of his best games, he had 9 points with 11 assists and just 1 turnover while adding 2 steals in a victory over the Celtics on July 13. He rarely missed on his catch-and-shoot jumpers and only missed one layup attempt as well.

Stevens is reportedly on an Exhibit-10 contract with the Heat, via Rookie Scale, which means he will attend training camp with the franchise. Miami currently has no more two-way contracts to offer without waiving anyone that currently has one, per Hoops Rumors, but he could still earn one from another team.

2. Darius Brown II

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

TEAM: Cleveland Cavaliers

PRE-DRAFT TEAM: Utah State

One of the most underrated players of NBA 2K25 Summer League was Darius Brown II.

The former Utah State guard played well for Cleveland, recording three games with at least 4 assists and positively impacted winning. That includes a performance with 19 point (7-10 FG, 5-8 3P) with 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals during a win over the Pacers on July 20.

He finished efficiently when shooting off the dribble and did not miss any of his 6 attempts at the rim, either. His player efficiency rating (PER) was the highest (23.5) of any undrafted free agent (minimum: more than two games played) during NBA 2K25 Summer League, via RealGM.

Brown is reportedly on an Exhibit-10 contract with the Cavaliers, per Rookie Scale, which means he will attend training camp with the franchise. Cleveland has room to sign all three of their two-way slots, per Hoops Rumors, and he should be in serious consideration to earn one of them.

3. Emanuel Miller

William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

TEAM: Dallas Mavericks

PRE-DRAFT TEAM: TCU

After the conclusion of the 2024 NBA Draft, based on the consensus big board provided by Rookie Scale, TCU's Emanuel Miller was ranked as the sixth-best undrafted free agent to not sign a two-way contract.

Splitting time between the starting lineup and the second unit, Miller played fairly well for Dallas. He averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He was one of the most efficient finishers in a half-court offense as a slashing wing with tremendous effort.

Miller is on an Exhibition-10 contract with the Mavericks, via Rookie Scale, though he can still potentially sign with any team in the NBA. Dallas still has room to offer one more two-way contract, per Hoops Rumors, so perhaps that could go to him.

4. Boogie Ellis

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

TEAM: Sacramento Kings

PRE-DRAFT TEAM: USC

After the conclusion of the 2024 NBA Draft, based on the consensus big board provided by Rookie Scale, USC's Boogie Ellis was ranked as the fifth-best undrafted free agent to not sign a two-way contract.

The 6-foot-1 guard played especially well in his final two games in NBA 2K25 Summer League, scoring 17 points and 15 points. He finished the campaign shooting 47.1 percent on 3-pointers during the competition as well, shooting particularly well off the bounce.

Sacramento does not have room room to sign any more players to two-way contracts as of right now, per Hoops Rumors, but he could and should earn one with another team.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Sorted by the city of the NBA team:

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 4 undrafted rookies (Isaiah Stevens!) who deserve two-way roster spots after NBA Summer League