Former UNC point guard Marcus Paige agreed Tuesday to a two-way contract with the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets–a new type of deal which will allow Paige to remain under the Hornets’ team control while he plays for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G-League.

Formerly called the NBA Developmental League–before a new sponsorship from Gatorade kicked in–the G-League is similar to the minor leagues in baseball and hockey.

Before the inception of two-way contracts, however, NBA teams could sign any developmental player to their roster regardless of which G-League team they played for.

This system creates minor league affiliated teams, resembling those used in other sports.

Paige spent last season in the Developmental League with the Salt Lake City Stars after being selected 55th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The Iowa native averaged just over 12 points and two assists per game in his debut campaign.

During this year’s summer league competitions, Paige played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in Orlando–before making a transition to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Las Vegas tournament.

He tallied 8 points and two assists per outing in three games with the Thunder, while posting averages of 12 points and five assists in five games with the Timberwolves.

 

Photo via John Raoux (Associated Press)

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