Michigan Basketball: Two-way Miami Heat contract is huge for Derrick Walton Jr.

Former Michigan basketball player Derrick Walton Jr. will get a chance in the NBA next season, thanks to a two-way contract with the Miami Heat.

The Michigan basketball program has been sending lots of players to the NBA lately and Tuesday, it was announced that another, Derrick Walton Jr., will be joining the association.

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Walton, who led Michigan basketball to the Big Ten tournament championship last season and a berth in the Sweet 16, signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat Tuesday.

The organization announced the move on their website and Walton followed it up with a tweet, thanking the team for the opportunity.

Walton went undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft after a stellar senior season for the Wolverines. The senior point guard was incredible down the stretch. In seven postseason games, Walton scored just under 20 PPG, while also dishing out 7.2 assists and grabbing more than five rebounds. He also made an average of 3.2 3-point field goals.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

For the season, he averaged 15.5 PPG and made 42 percent of his threes. Yet, Walton didn’t hear his name called on draft night. But, after a stint in the summer league with the Orlando Magic, averaging 10 points and 2.5 assists, the Heat signed him.

However, that doesn’t guarantee Walton much of anything moving forward. Although, it should get him work for all of next season, either in the NBA or the G-League (former D-League).

The two-way contract, if you are unfamiliar, is a new addition that was part of the recent collective bargaining agreement. Essentially, it makes it easier for players to go from the G-League to the NBA.

The Heat can send Walton to G-League, but retain his rights. In the past, he could be signed by another team. His contract also allows for him to play a maximum of 45 days in the NBA. The rest of the season would be spent in the G-League, in Sioux Falls.

Earning his way onto the Heat roster at point guard will be tough. Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson are currently on the team, yet Walton offers value as developmental prospect.

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The former Michigan basketball star certainly has work to do, but the good news is, at least he has a job for the 2017 season. Now all he needs to do is keep it.