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What the Johnathan Motley signing means for the LA Clippers

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 7: Johnathan Motley (15) of the Agua Caliente Clippers brings the ball up court during a game on March 07, 2019 at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 7: Johnathan Motley (15) of the Agua Caliente Clippers brings the ball up court during a game on March 07, 2019 at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the LA Clippers have re-signed Johnathan Motley to a two-way contract. Here’s why that’s important.

The LA Clippers have reportedly re-signed big man Johnathan Motley to a two-way contract, according to The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha.

Motley, 24, spent the 2018-2019 season bouncing between the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario and the LA Clippers after he was picked up by the organization via trade last July. He appeared in 27 games for the G League squad, averaging 24.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest. At the NBA level, he appeared in 22 games, averaging 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists.

Motley fills a need for the Clippers, who are in need of depth down low. When he is called up from the G League, he’ll likely fill in behind Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell at the center position.

A floor-spacing big, Motley has the ability to knock down shots from all over the floor. Although he’s far more consistent inside the perimeter, he averaged three attempts from three-point range per game with the Agua Caliente Clippers last season and connected on 29.6 percent of them.

Motley will be the Clippers’ second and final player signed to a two-way contract, along with Summer League standout Amir Coffey. Once either of those two contracts terminate, the Clippers can add more two-way players to the roster.

Under the current rules, a two-way contract allows a player to spend as many as 45 days with the NBA team that is affiliated with the player’s G League team. When the contract expires, LA can choose between two options. The first would be to convert that player’s contract to a minimum NBA deal, allowing them to spend the remainder of the season in the big leagues and be eligible for the postseason. Otherwise, that player would return to the G League and play out the rest of the season there.

Since the two-way contract came to fruition, the LA Clippers have taken full advantage of the benefits it brings. During the 2017-2018 season, they added Tyrone Wallace, C.J. Williams and Jamil Wilson to the roster — all of whom made significant contributions. Together, they combined to appear in 83 games, with both Wallace and Williams going on to earn contracts with NBA teams.

Last season, the Clippers had Motley and Angel Delgado signed to two-way deals, though both were far more effective in the G League than they were in the NBA. As previously stated, Motley appeared in 22 games, while Delgado played in just two. Delgado would eventually be named G League Rookie of the Year.

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Considering the LA Clippers’ depth, it’s hard to say how often Johnathan Motley and Amir Coffey will suit up in the NBA next season. Injuries will likely have to happen for either of them to get significant playing time, and that obviously isn’t something you hope for. Regardless, they should both get their moments at some point, and they’ll be ready.

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