Lakers Free Agency Rumor: Lakers sign Alex Caruso to 2-year, 2-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Alex Caruso to two-year, two-way contract, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Two-way contracts are new to the league, creating two additional roster slots for teams to be used on players to be developed in the G-league.

Caruso can be called up to the NBA for up to 45 days while earning a full NBA salary, while still earning his G-league salary in the meantime. This allows the Lakers an opportunity to retain a player like Caruso under their umbrella, offering larger incentive to stay stateside as opposed to taking larger money to play overseas.

It also means the Lakers have one two-way contract slot remaining to use. Caruso clearly impressed the team after he dropped 18 points and nine assists in the Lakers’ first Las Vegas Summer League victory this summer, stepping up in place of Lonzo Ball.

Caruso was an undrafted rookie last season, spending time with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s affiliate. He’ll now be heading to the D-Fenders, with a nice carrot on a stick for him to chase to earn playing time on the main squad.