:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65466010/usa_today_12222006.0.jpg)
Shaun Belbey congratulated Tyus Battle on making the NBA earlier today. He’s among the trainers continuing to prep Battle to chase his NBA dream.
The Timberwolves announced his contract several hours later, a G-League affiliate deal that’ll keep Battle close to the organization. They picked up Battle after he went undrafted alongside Oshae Brissett in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived Jordan Murphy and Lindell Wigginton.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 14, 2019
With the two empty roster spots, the Wolves signed Tyus Battle and Barry Brown.
These are moves designed around Affiliate Player rights in the NBAGL.
He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Minnesota to join them in the Summer League and shot 6-for-14 across six games. The deal allows Minnesota to grant Battle a bonus of up to $50,000 if they released him (as they did), and he rejoined the team through an affiliate.
The base pay in the G-League was roughly $35,000 during the 2018-19 season. Other bonuses are available for individual awards and team performance, but Battle will trek through a year of payment far below a NBA minimum contract.
NBA teams are largely testing Exhibit 10s for the first time, and only require 60 days with the G-League affiliate. After that, it’s unclear what recourse Battle would have to earn more money. It’s all part of the NBA’s ever-evolving plan to retain players like Battle, who could not make a roster but still hold promise to make the league.