The Detroit Pistons made some changes among its two-way contracts. In a bit of a surprise, Braxton Key was released, even though he has played pretty well in his time in NBA games.
The Pistons made a slight adjustment to their roster the day after Christmas. Getting a late lump of coal was forward Braxton Key, as he was released. College Park guard Jared Rhoden of the G League was signed to replace him, so he got a belated Christmas present.
Shams Charania, had the news first:
The Pistons are waiving forward Braxton Key and signing G League College Park guard Jared Rhoden to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 26, 2022
Detroit entered the season with Key and guard Buddy Boeheim as its two-way players. A two-way contract means, while a player is assigned to the G League tem of an NBA club, in this case the Motor City Cruise, they can play a certain amount of days on a team’s NBA team.
Ironically, Braxton Key was called up to the Pistons when they suffered injuries in the front court earlier in the season. He appeared in three games, scoring a total of four points. Boeheim has yet to suit up for the Pistons.
Key was picked up late last season and did not do badly for Detroit. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in nine games. Key even showed the ability to play small-ball center during that time.
Meet the new Detroit Pistons/Cruise player
Rhoden, was a 6-foot-6 guard at Seton Hall, where he played for four years. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the G League draft by the Skyhawks. He had been waived by the Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks prior to the season.
Rhoden was not much of an outside shooter in college, making just 31.3% of his three-point attempts for the Pirates. However, Rhoden shot lights out from beyond the arc at the the G League Showcase Cup, leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage at 51.4%.
Undoubtedly, Rhoden gained the attention of NBA scouts at the Showcase.
In 16 games for Collège Park, Rhoden has averaged 13.9 points and 6.4 rebounds.
WIth guard Cade Cunningham out for the season with shin surgery, the Pistons must feel like they need more depth at the guard position, although Boeheim is also a guard.
Sixers swap ex-Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers also made a change in one of its two-way slots, replacing one former Pistons player with another ex-Piston.
The Philadelphia 76ers are signing G League forward Louis King on a two-way contract, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN. King is averaging 20 points a game for the RGV Vipers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 26, 2022
To make room for King, a 6-foot-7 forward who played for the Pistons on short-term deals in 2020 and 2021, the Sixers released Saben Lee.
Lee was a second-round pick of the Pistons in 2020 and saw significant time, at certain points, with Detroit in two seasons. However, his lack of an outside shot, combined with the Pistons drafting guards Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham, blocked Lee from getting significant playing time.
Lee was packaged with Kelly Olynyk as part of the Bojan Bogdanovic trade with Utah. The Jazz released Lee several days later. Lee did appear in two games with the 76ers when guards James Harden and Tyrese Maxey were out due to injuries.
Now over 30 games into the season, NBA teams have a better idea where they made need some depth. Also, with its season now started, plus the Showcase Cup, NBA scouts have a better idea what is out there in the G League talent-wise.