Well, let me tell ya somethin’ ‘bout this thing called an Exhibit 10. Now, ya might be wonderin’, “What on earth is that?” Ain’t some art exhibit down at the museum, no sir! It’s an NBA contract deal, good for them young players who ain’t get drafted but still dreamin’ of makin’ it big.
See, in the NBA, they got all sorts of fancy contracts. But Exhibit 10, that one’s for those who didn’t get picked in the draft. These undrafted players still got a chance to show their stuff and maybe get on a team. They call it Exhibit 10 ‘cause it’s like a little “show me what ya got” kinda deal.
What’s an Exhibit 10 Contract?
Now, an Exhibit 10 contract, it ain’t like them big-dollar contracts ya hear about with all them famous players. No, it’s a special kind for undrafted folks, and it don’t come with a whole lotta money or long-term promises. But it does come with hope. The player gets a chance to work hard, maybe get some playin’ time in the preseason or with the G League. If the team likes ‘em, they could even turn this deal into a regular NBA contract or maybe a two-way contract.
How’s It Work?
Well, here’s the thing—these Exhibit 10 deals usually come with a bit of bonus, maybe $5,000 to $50,000, but only if the player sticks around in the team’s G League affiliate for at least 60 days. It’s kinda like sayin’, “Here’s a taste of what ya could get if ya keep workin’ hard.” Teams wanna see that grit and grind before they give out more serious money.
So, say a player like Jahmir Young or Jaylin Williams signs an Exhibit 10 deal with a team like the Denver Nuggets. Now, they don’t get the whole “welcome to the NBA” thing right away. They got work to do in the G League, kinda like a farm team where they can get better. If they do good, the team can offer ‘em a better contract. It’s like a tryout for grown-ups, see?
What’s a Two-Way Contract?
Now, if the Exhibit 10 player does real good, the team might turn it into a two-way contract. This type of deal lets ‘em split time between the G League and the NBA. Kinda like havin’ one foot in the big leagues and one foot in the farm league. They can play up to 50 games in the NBA, and they get paid better too, though it still ain’t as big as them full-time NBA salaries.
Teams like the Indiana Pacers been signin’ up a few folks on these deals. They took on Josiah-Jordan James after he went undrafted, signed him up on an Exhibit 10, and put him on the path to prove his worth.
Who’s Signing These Contracts?
After every draft, teams get a bit busy huntin’ down undrafted talent. In 2023, folks like Gabe McGlothan and Jaylin Williams got signed up on Exhibit 10 deals, tryin’ their best to get noticed. The Denver Nuggets been busy, the Pacers too. They’re lookin’ for that diamond in the rough, a player who might surprise ‘em and turn into somethin’ special with a little work.
Pros and Cons of Exhibit 10
- Pro: Gives undrafted players a shot. Ain’t every day ya get a second chance in the NBA!
- Pro: They get to develop in the G League and maybe even get a regular or two-way contract.
- Con: It’s not big money. Exhibit 10 contracts are kinda low compared to other deals.
- Con: It’s a short gig. Ya got 60 days to prove yourself in the G League to keep that bonus.
Now, these deals might not sound glamorous, but fer some young player, it’s a foot in the door. If they do well, if they give it their all, sometimes it turns into somethin’ real special. So, that Exhibit 10, it’s like a little spark o’ hope, ya know? It’s a shot at the big time, even if it starts out real small.
And that’s how it is in the NBA world. Some folks go undrafted, but that don’t mean they’re forgotten. These Exhibit 10 contracts, they give these young bucks a chance to show what they got. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see one of these players in the NBA headlines, makin’ waves and playin’ like the big stars. But first, they gotta show up, work hard, and prove they belong.
Tags：[Exhibit 10 Contract, NBA, Two-Way Contract, NBA G League, Undrafted NBA Players]
