JULY 20: The Mavericks have officially signed Spalding, the team announced today in a press release. The contract will include two guaranteed seasons, notes Michael Scotto of The Athletic (Twitter link).
JULY 19: The Mavericks have agreed to terms on a four-year contract for second-rounder Ray Spalding, reports Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). The deal will be worth at least $5.72MM, Spalding’s four-year minimum, though it’s unlikely to be fully guaranteed.
[RELATED: 2018 NBA Draft Pick Signings]
Spalding, a power forward out of Louisville, was the 56th overall pick in the 2018 draft. In his final college season, he averaged 12.3 PPG and 8.7 RPG in 27.7 minutes per contest for the Cardinals.
The Mavericks acquired the No. 56 pick – which they used to select Spalding – along with the No. 60 pick in a draft-night trade that sent the No. 54 selection to Philadelphia. The Sixers used No. 54 to draft Shake Milton, while Dallas used the 60th overall selection to nab Kostas Antetokounmpo. Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s younger brother has since signed a two-way contract with the Mavs.
It has been a busy day for the Mavericks, who also reached agreements with Dirk Nowitzki and Yogi Ferrell. Dallas will sign Spalding to his first NBA contract with some of their remaining cap room. If the Mavs had used up their cap space first before locking up the second-round pick, they would only have been able to offer him up to two years using the minimum salary exception or room exception.
With a name like that he’ll get all the endorsements.
Interesting to see someone drafted so late to get a four year deal – albeit not likely to be guaranteed beyond year 1 or 2. Since antetokounmpo filled their second two way slot (other one is motley who is a hold over from last year) they didn’t have many other options except for having him sign a Gleague contract outright or go overseas.
Seems to be the trend with teams as of late. Makes sense. Low salary, if he is good you have a bargain if not, wont hurt the cap. Relatively no risk.