As 2025 comes to a close, most are focused on the looming NBA trade deadline on February 5. Over 85% of the league is eligible to be traded now, with a handful more big names (and salaries!) joining the list by the middle of January. However, a couple more key dates are coming up on the NBA calendar before the trade deadline.

On January 5, teams are allowed to sign players to 10 Day contracts. This might seem a bit confusing, because we’ve already seen several 10 Day deals signed, but those were due to hardship situations. A few years back, partially as a result of COVID-impacted seasons, the NBA changed the rules that a hardship exception could be filled via a 10 Day deal, before the official 10 Day contract period opens on January 5.

With nearly half of the league carrying an open roster spot, expect some 10 Day movement around the NBA. For teams without enough space under a hard cap, this could be a way to bring in some extra help on a temporary basis.

The next important date is January 7, which is when all NBA contracts (both standard and two-way) become fully guaranteed for the season. In reality, NBA contracts become fully guaranteed on January 10, but in order for a team to avoid the non-guaranteed portion hitting their books, the player has to clear waivers before January 10. That means that they have to be waived by January 7, in order for the player to have their 48 hours on waivers pass before January 10.

Soon, we’ll have a piece looking at the players on standard contracts with that January 7 deadline becoming fully guaranteed. However, the two-way guarantee deadline has become sort of a defining line for teams too. Generally, we’ll see some activity with teams shuffling players in and out on two-way deals.

In the wake of the G League Showcase, which took place in Orlando just before Christmas, we’re going to look at some of the top candidates for 10 Day contract or to land a Two-Way deal. This list is compiled through film study, but also through talking to NBA front office executives and scouts, as well as player agents. We’re breaking up the list like this:


Ballhandlers: Primarily points guards, which is a deep group in the G League this season.
Wings: These are shooting guard/small forward types. This is the shallowest group in the G League this season.
Bigs: Primarily centers, which includes a handful of recognizable names.

Before we start, this list would have been led by MarJon Beauchamp and Mo Bamba, but both players recently landed NBA deals. Beauchamp landed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way deal. He’s improved his shot, and if that holds, Beauchamp all of a sudden becomes a really, really interesting player.

Bamba signed with the Toronto Raptors on a pseudo-10 Day contract (his deal is non-guaranteed and designed to be waived before January 7, if necessary). He continues to float around the edges of the NBA as a roster player. The prospect shine is long gone, but Bamba is still athletic, can rebound and block shots, and he’s made shots in the G League this season.

With all that said, here are the G League players to keep an eye on for a 10 Day callup or a two-way deal for the rest of this season.

(All stats courtesy of RealGM and through games played as of December 30)

Ballhandlers
Darius Brown II – Cleveland Charge – 26 years old – PG

Key Stats: 12.5 PPG, 41% 3P%, 3.8 RPG, 8.8 APG, 2.6 SPG

Brown has reinvented himself in his second G League season. After being more of an undersized combo guard as a rookie, Brown has been one of the best lead playmakers in the G League this season. Brown is a ballhawk, using his quickness to press up on opposing ballhandlers. He’s not afraid to get physical either. On offense, Brown does a nice job setting the offense, while creating in freelance situations. He’s improved his jumper, knocking down 41% on 5.6 attempts per game from deep. He’s got classic “late bloomer” written all over him.

Kobe Bufkin – South Bay Lakers – 22 years old – PG/SG

Key Stats: 26 PPG, 53% FG%, 43% 3P%, 4.2 RPG, 4.4 APG

Bufkin has already earned a callup on a hardship exception with the Memphis Grizzlies. Bufkin didn’t end up getting into a game with Memphis, but it shows teams haven’t given up on him yet. In the G League, he’s played as a combo guard. After shooting poorly in his previous NBA experience with the Atlanta Hawks, Bufkin is hitting at a great clip this season. He’s young enough to have some prospect shine left on him. Adapting to more of a combo-guard role might unlock Bufkin’s next NBA opportunity.

Kennedy Chandler – Delaware Blue Coats – 23 years old – PG

Key Stats: 19.7 PPG, 9.6 APG, 2.3 SPG

Chandler is the prototypical, old-school floor general. He’s got complete command of the offense. Whether it’s getting his team into their sets or creating on his own, Chandler keeps the ball moving. He’s done a nice job of finishing in the paint. Unfortunately, at his 6-foot size, he has to shoot it better from behind the arc. After looking steady the last two years, Chandler’s outside shot has regressed this season. On defense, Chandler makes up for his lack of size by using his speed and quickness. He’s got fast hands and reads opposing offenses well.

Killian Hayes – Cleveland Charge – 24 years old – PG

Key Stats: 24.8 PPG, 47% FG%, 36% 3P%, 3.5 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.8 SPG

Sharing the backcourt with Darius Brown II, Hayes has done really well. He’s still terrific on-ball as a playmaker, but is also using his size better than ever to get downhill for buckets at the rim. Hayes has also improved off-ball. 36% on threes might not jump off the page, but it’s come on 7.7 three-point attempts per game. There’s no hesitation on taking open looks for Hayes, and very little on self-created shots off the dribble too. Defensively, Hayes remains competitive. He’s big enough to guard 1-3. He still gambles a bit too much for steals, but the effort and hustle are there.

Mac McClung – Windy City Bulls – 26 years old – PG

Key Stats: 24 PPG, 50% FG%, 36% 3P%, 3.3 RPG, 6.3 APG

We all know the story with McClung by now: He’s hyper-athletic and can jump out of the gym. But McClung is more than just a dunker. He’s a good shooter and playmaker. He can run an offense and play on- and off-ball. He’s competitive on defense, but his lack of size can hurt him on that end. All of that said, he’s worthy of a real NBA look to prove he’s not just a Dunk Contest oddity.

Tristen Newton – Iowa Wolves – 24 years old – SG/PG

Key Stats: 26.6 PPG, 49% FG%, 37% 3P%, 4.7 RPG, 7.6 APG, 2.0 SPG

Newton has great size at a legit 6-foot-5. When he came out of UConn, Newton was almost invisible off-ball. Now, he’s equally as good off-ball as he is on-ball. 37% from downtown is a marked improvement for Newton, and he’s done that on an impressive 8.2 three-point attempts per game. Newton is also a natural playmaker. He can shift right back into his point guard mindset when he’s got the ball. Defensively, Newton isn’t the fastest guy, but he’s gotten better at using his size and strength. He’s now directing opposing players vs reacting to their moves.

Daishen Nix – Rio Grande Valley Vipers – 23 years old – SG

Key Stats: 23.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 7.2 APG, 2.6 SPG

Nix is out of two-way eligibility, which is a bit of a bummer, given he’s still young enough to be developed. That means his path is a 10 Day deal or a rest-of-season contract. He’s one of the more well-rounded athletes in the ballhandler group. Nix is quick and he’s strong. He’s a terrific rebounder, given his 6-foot-4 frame. He’s reading the floor really well on both ends. The shot is still inconsistent. If Nix could hit from the outside consistently, he’d already be on an NBA contract.

Wings
Teddy Allen – Rio Grande Valley Vipers – 27 years old – SF/SG

Key Stats: 21.1 PPG, 48% FG%, 41% 3P%, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG

Allen is in the late-bloomer category for sure. He was fine as a 26-year-old G League rookie last season, after a few years playing in Canada and England. This year, he’s been one of the better all-around players in the G League. He’s got NBA size for a wing. He’s quick and strong. Allen is making his shots from everywhere and on all types of takes too. His age might scare off some teams, but he’s a bit more ready to play than some of the younger guys on this list. That could help Allen land an NBA spot.

Dalano Banton – Texas Legends – 26 years old – SG/SF/PG

Key Stats: 25.1 PPG, 46% FG%, 4.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Banton is a known quantity to NBA teams. He’s spent four years in the league already. Teams know he can score and keep the ball moving, even if he’s a streaky shooter. That doesn’t mean he’s not deserving of another shot at the league though. Banton is arguably the most versatile player in the G League. He can play any of the perimeter positions. Banton also looks more committed to the defensive end of the floor. He’s finally putting his 6-foot-8 frame to good use on defense. That could be his ticket back to the NBA.

James Bouknight – Mexico City Capitanes – 25 years old – SG

Key Stats: 19.5 PPG, 44% FG%, 44% 3P%, 5.2 RPG

A former lottery pick, Bouknight has clearly been putting in work on his game. He’s not an overpowering athlete, despite being fairly quick and a decent leaper. So, Bouknight has had to work on his shot. He’s up to 44% on 8.7 three-point attempts per game this season. Bouknight has hit spot-up shots, on-the-move shots and off-the-dribble shots. That’s a good sign for the 6-foot-5 shooting guard. On defense, Bouknight is trying more. He’s been really good about getting on the boards, which is a good sign of his competitiveness.

Keion Brooks Jr. – Birmingham Squadron – 25 years old – SF

Key Stats: 14.5 PPG, 50% FG%, 40% 3P%, 5.6 RPG

Brooks has a similar profile and game to former New Orleans Pelicans teammate Herb Jones. He’s strong and quick on defense and makes his man work for his looks. Brooks has been knocking down threes at a decent clip this season too. He saw some NBA run last season and is definitely worth of another look, especially for a team looking for a 3&D option with good size.

Matthew Cleveland – Texas Legends – 23 years old – SF/SG

Key Stats: 14.5 PPG, 55% FG%, 39% 3P%, 8.7 RPG

This might be the G League Rookie of the Year, at least out of players not on a two-way deal. Cleveland has been really impressive on both ends of the floor. His college tape at FSU and Miami showed a guy with good size who could knock down shots, defend on the perimeter and get on the glass. Nothing has changed in the G League, except that he’s doing all of that better than ever. In addition, Cleveland is showing some ability to put the ball on the floor too. Because he’s a rookie and fairly young, Cleveland will be a target for a two-year two-way deal covering the rest of this season and next season.

Blake Hinson – Rip City Remix – 26 years old – SF/SG

Key Stats: 23.6 PPG, 50% FG%, 41% 3P%, 4.5 RPG

Hinson is kind of a shooting specialist, with a bit more to his game. He can rebound a bit, and he’s showing the ability to drive a closeout to get to a pullup or sometimes all the way to rim. But Hinson’s real value lies in his shooting. He’s hitting over 41% from behind the arc on a whopping 9.5 three-point attempts per game. The thing NBA teams will like? Hinson is 6-foot-8. Shooting with size is always valued in the NBA.

Nate Hinton – Memphis Hustle – 26 years old – SF/SG

Key Stats: 12.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG

Hinton has been around the edges of the NBA for a while now. He’s spent parts of three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets. Hinton is kind of a unique player, as he’s an outstanding rebounder for his 6-foot-5 frame. He excels crashing the offensive glass and getting in the mix for second chances. If Hinton shot it a bit more consistently from the outside, he’d be an NBA guy. As it is, the mix of strong on-ball defense and rebounding will have Hinton getting looks for a callup.

Alize Johnson – Iowa Wolves – 29 years old – SF/PF

Key Stats: 17.6 PPG, 55% FG%, 35% 3P%, 10.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.2 SPG

Johnson is coming of a 40-point, 12-rebound game where he shot 15-for-21 from the floor. The scoring is higher than usual, but that kind of gives you a sense of how overpowering Johnson has been at times this season. He’s older than most guys on this list, but Johnson could step in and give an NBA team decent bench minutes today. If he was a bit bigger or shot it better from deep, Johnson would already have an NBA deal. But he’s still worthy of another look after a couple of years rounding out his game overseas.

Kevin Knox II – Windy City Bulls – 26 years old – SF

Key Stats: 20.4 PPG, 49% FG%, 42% 3P%, 6.6 RPG

Knox finished last season with the Golden State Warriors and had a few moments for them. This year, he’s been one of the more consistent scorers in the G League again. Knox’s size is too much for most perimeter defenders to handle on the minor league level. He’s knocking down his outside shots at a pretty consistent clip too, and Knox isn’t afraid to mix it up on the glass either. If a team needs a wing to step in for depth immediately, they could do a lot worse than giving Knox a callup.

Jalen Slawson – Noblesville Boom – 26 years old – SF/PF

Key Stats: 21.7 PPG, 50% FG%, 39% 3P%, 6.4 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.7 BPG

Slawson has been the best all-around player in the G League this season. He’s been terrific on offense and borderline dominant on defense. He regularly guards 1-5 and handles every position equally as well. Slawson’s playmaking and shooting have been the real surprises. If the shooting is real, and his form suggests it is, someone should snag him on at least a two-way deal, if not jumping right to a standard contract.

Bigs
Charles Bassey – Santa Cruz Warriors – 25 years old – C/PF

Key Stats: 11.5 PPG, 73.3 FG%, 5.0 RPG, 3.0 BPG

This one is cheating a little bit. Bassey has only recently joined Santa Cruz, but he’s played well in two games since getting there. But we know Bassey can play. He almost made the Boston Celtics out of Summer League, then showed well for the Atlanta Hawks in training camp. In an early-season hardship callup with the Memphis Grizzlies, Bassey showed further flashes. Mostly, he’s a known quantity, who is still young enough to maybe have a little developmental pop left.

Moses Brown – Grand Rapid Gold – 26 years old – C

Key Stats: 17.1 PPG, 64% FG%, 9.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG

Brown is a dominant interior presence on the G League level. He’s crushing it on the offensive glass, with 4.6 offensive boards per game. He’s finishing solidly and protecting the rim well. With the Denver Nuggets down Nikola Jokic for a month, they could do an internal callup and bring Brown up to the NBA roster on a 10 Day deal. If it doesn’t happen in Denver, it’s probably just a matter of time before another team brings Brown in for a look.

John Butler Jr. – Wisconsin Herd – 23 years old – C

Key Stats: 9.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG

Butler is starting to round out his game a bit more. He’s been really good on defense this season. Butler has learned to use his quickness and length better, while also improving his strength. There are still some stretch elements to develop on offense, as the jumper isn’t falling consistently yet. Because he’s young and has two-way eligibility left, he’s a good candidate for a multi-year two-way deal.

Skal Labissiere – Capital City Go-Go – 29 years old – C/PF

Key Stats: 19 PPG, 55% FG%, 43% 3P%, 8.4 RPG, 2.2 BPG

NBA teams are always looking for bigs who can protect the rim on defense and stretch the floor on offense. Labissiere has always had the former, but he’s added the latter. After years of steady improvement with his jumper, Labissiere is up to 43% on 5.1 three-point attempts per game. He’s also improved his strength, which has helped him as a rebounder. Labissiere is no longer the run-and-jump prospect, but he could help a team that needs some frontcourt depth.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – Texas Legends – 25 years old – PF

Key Stats: 18 PPG, 48% FG%, 14.5 RPG

Robinson-Earl hasn’t played a lot in the G League, but that’s because he spent a while with the Indiana Pacers in the NBA this season. And that’s because Robinson-Earl can play. He’s one of the best rebounders at the G League level, simply because he understands positioning and has good strength. If the outside shot were a little better, of if Robinson-Earl was more athletic, he’d be on an NBA standard deal. As it is, he’ll be on the list for a callup when a team needs from frontcourt help.

Jamarion Sharp – Texas Legends – 24 years old – C

Key Stats: 8.3 PPG, 73% FG%, 7.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 4.3 BPG

Sharp is a massive human being. He’s a legitimate 7-foot-5. Sharp also moves better than most guys his size. What gives him a chance at a callup this season is that Sharp has improved his conditioning. He’s up over 25 minutes per game this season, after struggling to get over 20 minutes per game as a rookie last year. The combination of size, finishing, rebounding and rim protection, along with being fairly young, could land Sharp a two-way deal that covers the rest of this season and next season.