The Indiana Pacers are intending to ink a two-way deal with RayJ Dennis.
The Indiana Pacers are set to ink guard RayJ Dennis onto a two-way agreement, as reported by multiple sources. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype was the first to break the news about this upcoming deal.
At 23, Dennis has been playing with the San Diego Clippers' G League team, the Los Angeles Clippers affiliate, during this ongoing season. He's participated in 18 games, averaging 16.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. He's started every game and has been a pivotal point guard for a successful G League squad.
His NBA experience comes from the preseason with the Los Angeles Clippers. He recorded two assists and three rebounds against the Golden State Warriors in his only appearance, but he was subsequently waived before the start of the regular season. The Washington Wizards then hired him for a two-way contract, but they parted ways with him a few days later.
After two months into the 2024-25 league year, no team had the NBA rights to Dennis. That's no longer the case, as the Pacers will be signing the untested rookie guard, who wasn't selected during the 2024 NBA Draft.
Hailing from Illinois, Dennis spent his high school basketball days in his home state before embarking on a five-year college career at Boise State, Toledo, and Baylor. During his final season with the Bears, he averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, the latter ranking ninth in the nation. His impressive passing skills have been on display in the G League so far.
The Pacers freed up a two-way contract slot by releasing guard Tristen Newton on Wednesday. He had occupied one of the Pacers' three two-way deals, with the other two spots going to Enrique Freeman and Quenton Jackson. Jackson and Freeman have seen significant NBA action due to numerous Pacers injuries, but Newton spent most of his season with the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League.
What can RayJ Dennis bring to the Pacers?
With Newton's departure, the Pacers/Mad Ants were in search of another guard. Dennis will fill that void. Known for his setup skills rather than scoring, he is highly valued on G League rosters that often consist of players with varying objectives.
Dennis impressed LA Clippers summer league coach Dahntay Jones, who stated, "RayJ is a really good player with a lot of potential. He did some great things for us, and he showed he belongs."
Dennis attended a pre-draft workout with the Pacers on June 20, leaving a lasting impression on them. He ranks as the 27th player in the G League in assists per game among players with over five appearances. Only 11 players can match Dennis's scoring numbers, making him one of the most effective guards in the G League this season.
Two-way contracts pay players half the NBA's rookie minimum salary, which is approximately $579k in this campaign. Dennis will receive a prorated amount depending on the remaining days in the NBA season at the time he signs his two-way contract. The length of his contract – one or two seasons – remains undetermined.
Two-way contracts do not count towards the salary cap. As the Pacers are near the luxury tax with their spending this year, adding Dennis will not push them over the threshold. They still fall beneath that limit.
Once Dennis finalizes his contract, the Pacers will have a complete roster. They will have two months to evaluate their crop of two-way players and decide if they are worthy of staying with the team until the end of the season – the deadline for NBA teams to sign players to two-way deals is early March.
The Pacers currently stand at 16-18. While Dennis might spend time with the team, he is likely to get more court time with the Mad Ants. The G League team concludes a road trip on Saturday before returning home for six consecutive games.
RayJ Dennis, who has been playing with the Los Angeles Clippers' G League team, is set to join the Indiana Pacers after going unsigned during the NBA free agency. This move by the Pacers will fill the void left by the departure of guard Tristen Newton. Dennis, known for his setup skills, impressed LA Clippers summer league coach Dahntay Jones and ranks high in assists and scoring in the G League this season.
