7:30pm: The Lakers have officially signed Cacok to a two-way contract and waived Norvell, the team announced in a press release.
3:38pm: The Lakers are making a change to one of their two-way contract slots, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that the club is waiving guard Zach Norvell Jr. and signing big man Devontae Cacok.
[RELATED: 2019/20 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker]
Norvell, who went undrafted earlier this year, signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on the first day of the league year in July. He has logged just five minutes in two games with the NBA club this season, spending most of his time with the South Bay Lakers. In 23 G League games (24.7 MPG), he averaged 13.3 PPG on .353/.340/.867 shooting.
Cacok, meanwhile, was in camp with the Lakers this fall on an Exhibit 10 contract but was cut at the end of the preseason when the team set its regular season roster. He reported to South Bay as an affiliate player and has been productive as a member of the Lakers’ G League squad, recording 16.3 PPG and 11.7 RPG with a .669 FG% in 12 games (22.8 MPG).
Because he’s signing his two-way contract partway through the regular season, Cacok will be eligible to spend up to 33 days with the Lakers, a prorated portion of the usual 45-day limit.
Kostas Antetokounmpo is the Lakers’ other two-way player. His status remains unchanged.
Does Norvell have to clear waivers and resign with South Bay?
Norvell will have to clear waivers, yeah. Assuming he does clear waivers and wants to keep playing in the G League, my understanding is that South Bay will still hold his rights as a result of the 10-game rule.
Norvell needs a new pipeline or some stats or something
Cleveland, Denver, Houston, OKC, and Portland all have an open roster spot where he might end up if claimed.
If claimed, he’d still be on his two-way contract, so a team would either need to have a two-way opening (the Suns are the only team with an open spot right now) or be willing to waive a two-way guy.
This dude plays hard. Should be a fan favorite. Could see Lebron also being a fan. Only reason I wasnt surprised they cut him in training camp was b/c of all their bigs they have. I was more surprised someone else didnt bring him in.
They should have kept him to break Pooles’s ankles.
Someone will grab Norvell the second he clears. Be a great fit for the Heat system. Could see Riley moving him into the 2 Way slot that Macon has right now.