HENRY PATTON
Both Dylan Cardwell and Miles Kelly did not hear their names called during the 2025 NBA Draft, but it didn’t take long for them to find opportunities.
Kelly signed with the Dallas Mavericks while Cardwell signed with the Sacramento Kings shorty after the draft's conclusion Thursday.
Both players signed two-way contracts which allows them to play with both their NBA team and its G-League affiliate. Both will also participate in the NBA Summer League, which tips off on July 10 in Las Vegas.
Players on two-way contracts are eligible to play in 50 of the 82 regular season games. Players on two-way deals during the 2024-25 regular season earned $578,577, which was half of the rookie minimum.
Typically, players on two-way contracts spend the start of the season primarily in the G-League, but as injuries pile up during the grind of an NBA season, teams will call up players on two-way deals to provide extra depth and spot minutes.
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Kelly spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Georgia Tech before transferring to Auburn for his final season where he shot 38 percent from deep and played more of a three-and-d role, which is most likely what he’d do if he finds his way on the court for the Mavs alongside Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
Cardwell, meanwhile, spent five seasons at Auburn and became the ultimate fan favorite for his effort, energy and defensive prowess. The Kings currently employ two offensive minded centers in Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, so should Cardwell find the court for the Kings, he’d be a complete contrast to their other two centers.
Both the Mavs and Kings finished outside the top eight and played each other in the play-in tournament with the Mavs defeating the Kings before bowing out to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Kings are expected to finish around the same spot in the standings, while the Mavs, fresh off of drafting Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, are expected to contend for an NBA championship.
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