Virginia Basketball Notes: The “Big 3” Sign Deals

By: Chris Horne |

In this latest “Notes” piece, check out the latest on former Virginia men’s basketball players in the 2019 NBA Summer League as well as a refresher of the remaining Summer League schedule. We begin, however, with contract news involving the “Big 3” from the Cavalier national championship team.

Guy, Hunter and Jerome Sign Deals

Congratulations to Kyle Guy, who signed with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday (July 7). As a second round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft (No. 55 overall), Guy wasn’t guaranteed a contract offer. The Indianapolis (IN) earn the two-way contract he signed with quality performances in Sacramento’s first four games of the summer, including three California Classic outings and one Las Vegas Summer League contest.

What does a two-way contract entail? According to the official NBA G League website, it’s this:

Beginning in the 2017 offseason, NBA rosters expanded from 15 to 17 players with the addition of two spots for players under “Two-Way Contracts.”

NBA teams may have up to two players under NBA Two-Way Contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League and not more than 45 days with their NBA team. Two-Way players are paid a corresponding daily amount based on the number of days they play in each league. Only players in their fourth NBA season or earlier are able to sign Two-Way Contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons.

All three of the 2018-19 NCAA champion Virginia men’s basketball’s “Big 3” signed NBA contracts over the weekend. In addition to Guy, De’Andre Hunter signed with the Atlanta Hawks and Ty Jerome signed with the Phoenix Suns. Contracts for NBA Draft first round picks such as Hunter and Jerome are guaranteed for the first two years while years three and four are team options.

NBA teams can sign first round draft picks for as high as 120% or as low at 80% of whatever the rookie salary scale is for the upcoming season. Hoops Rumors reports that teams typically to sign first round picks at the 120% level. If that is the case, Hunter stands to make $14.5 million his first two years while Jerome will bring in almost $4.5 million in his first two seasons. Real GM has the full 2019-20 NBA Rookie Salary Scale here, so you can get an idea of what the former Cavalier stars could make in four years.

Las Vegas NBA Summer League Check-In

De’Andre Hunter, Guard/Forward, Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks announced Hunter’s signing late Saturday/early Sunday and didn’t waste any time in getting the no. 4 overall pick on the court. Hunter looked rusty in 20 minutes of action, totaling 6 points (2-8 shooting, 1-3 from 3, 1-2 free throws), 4 turnovers, 3 rebounds (1 offensive), 1 block and 1 assist.

Hunter and the Hawks next take the court on Tuesday (July 9) against the Indiana Pacers. Game time is 5:30 p.m. EST and NBA TV will televise.

Jack Salt, Center, Phoenix Suns

While Ty Jerome will not play for the Phoenix Suns in the 2019 NBA Summer League, former Virginia center Jack Salt is. The Suns’ first game was cancelled because of an earthquake, so Sunday’s (July 7) matchup with the New York Knicks was the team’s Summer League debut. Salt logged seven minutes, finishing with 2 points (1-3 shooting), 1 rebound (offensive) and 1 turnover in the 105-100 overtime win.

Remaining 2019 NBA Summer League Schedule For Former Virginia Players

In his first game since signing the two-way contract, Guy and the Kings take on Dallas on Monday, July 8, at 3:30 p.m. EST. NBA TV will televise. Guy scored 21 points and dished out 5 assists in Sacramento’s win over China this past Saturday.

London Perrantes and Devon Hall return to the court as well on Monday. Perrantes and the New Orleans Pelicans face Chicago at 9:30 p.m. EST on NBA TV. Meanwhile, Hall and the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet the Philadelphia 76ers at 3 p.m. EST. ESPNU will televise this matchup, which pits Hall against his former UVA teammate, Marial Shayok, who has signed a two-way contract with Philly.

ATLANTA HAWKS (Hunter)
– Atlanta vs. Indiana, Tuesday, July 9, 5:30 p.m. EST (NBA TV)
– Washington vs. Atlanta, Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2)

PHOENIX SUNS (Salt)
– Memphis vs. Phoenix, Tuesday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. EST (NBA TV)
– Phoenix vs. San Antonio, Wednesday, July 10, 9 p.m. EST (NBA TV)

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (Perrantes)
– Chicago vs. New Orleans, Monday, July 8, 9:30 p.m. EST (NBA TV)
– New Orleans vs. Cleveland, Wednesday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2)

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (Hall)
– Philadelphia vs. Oklahoma City, Monday, July 8, 3 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
– Oklahoma City vs. Croatia, Tuesday, July 9, 3:30 p.m. EST (NBA TV)
– Oklahoma City vs. Portland, Thursday, July 11, 8:00 p.m. EST (NBA TV)

SACRAMENTO KINGS (Guy)
– Dallas vs. Sacramento, Monday, July 8, 3:30 p.m. EST (NBA TV)
– Houston vs. Sacramento, Tuesday, July 9, 10:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2)
– LA Clippers vs. Sacramento, Thursday, July 11, 10 p.m. EST (NBA TV)

Brogdon Introduced In Indiana

The Indiana Pacers made it official this past Saturday, announcing the acquisition of former Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Milwaukee Bucks. The 6’5″ point guard, the No. 36 overall pick (2nd Round) in the 2016 NBA Draft, spent three seasons in Milwaukee, starting 125 of 207 games. He earned 66 of those starts this past season while helping the Bucks to the NBA’s best regular season record and the Eastern Conference finals. Brogdon established career-highs in points (15.6) and rebounds (4.5) while also dishing out 3.2 assists per game in 2018-19.

The 6’5″ Brogdon had his introductory press conference with the Pacers today. Click here to watch it in its entirety. Below are some tweets from the presser courtesy of the Pacers.