Jay Huff signs two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers

After being waived by the Washington Wizards last week, Jay Huff has signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for this upcoming NBA Season.

Huff went un-drafted this summer and signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Wizards, but will now be headed out West as he replaces former Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi — who, coincidentally, is signing a two-way deal with Washington — as a two-way player for the Lakers.

As the NBA is holding over its altered rules for two-way players from the 2020-2021 season to this upcoming season, Huff will be eligible to be active for 50 of Los Angeles’ 82 regular season games while also playing for LA’s G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

At 24, Huff will be one of the youngest players on the Lakers as the organization has gathered together a pool of older talent in an attempt to make another run at a championship while Lebron James remains a force to be reckoned with.

Huff should have the opportunity to grow and develop this season. He won’t be expected to make any real contributions for the NBA team, but will have plenty of guys to learn from.

Granted, his skillset is unlike any other on the team as he’s a stretch five with the capability to grow into a significant threat in ball screens as both a roller to the basket and a popper out to the perimeter. Of course, his shot blocking ability is also worth something defensively, despite a lack of bulk or quickness.

For those reasons, Huff is an intriguing-enough player to keep around for a little while to see if he can develop into a legitimate rotational piece in the league.

The Durham native and former Wahoo ought to get his fair share of run in the G League and will follow in the footsteps of other Virginia Cavaliers including Kyle Guy and Mamadi Diakite who signed two-way deals out of college.