Two-way contracts have quietly become one of the best innovations the NBA has implemented over the past decade. They’ve been a win-win for both sides, as the players and teams benefit.
For players, these contracts offer an opportunity to prove themselves and showcase why they belong in the league. We’ve seen plenty of success stories — guys who started as two-way players and eventually earned full-time roster spots. For teams, it’s a tool to evaluate talent during the grind of an 82-game season, while also having insurance options for nights when injuries pile up or rest days are needed. It’s one of the most mutually beneficial systems the league has ever introduced.
That lever could play a big role for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. Oklahoma City is looking to repeat as NBA champions, and while that pursuit ultimately comes down to postseason performance, the regular season still matters. This team is good enough to manage minutes, prioritize health and still compete for the top seed in the West, and maybe even the league’s best record again. Two-way players can help make that possible, giving the rotation extra depth without taxing the main core.
As of now, the Thunder have just two players signed to two-way contracts, with Branden Carlson and Brooks Barnhizer. Every NBA team can carry three, which means OKC still has one spot open. The Thunder doesn’t have to fill it immediately and could wait deep into the season, but there’s already a player in camp who’s more than earned that opportunity: Chris Youngblood.
Youngblood has risen to the occasion at every level. He began his college career at Kennesaw State, improving in each of his three seasons there before transferring to South Alabama, where he took another leap in a tougher conference. Then at Alabama for his fifth year, he became a critical role player, starting 18 of 28 games and hitting a high volume of threes on one of the best teams in the country. That shooting success has translated seamlessly to the next level.
During NBA Summer League and the preseason, Youngblood showed exactly what makes him a fit for OKC’s third two-way slot. He’s a sturdy 6-foot-5 guard with a compact frame and the ability to impact both ends of the floor. His defining skill is his shooting — a lightning-quick release, clean mechanics and confidence in tight windows. He can hit shots on the move but thrives most as a spot-up threat who spaces the floor and punishes defenders for overhelping. That’s exactly the archetype you want in a two-way player. He’s omeone who can do one or two things at a high level and fill a specific need.
It’s tempting for teams to chase scoring upside with these two-way slots, but role fit matters more. Youngblood’s skill set fits perfectly with what OKC needs, as he provides reliable floor spacing, effort defensively and a low-maintenance, plug-and-play mentality. Think of him as a potential Isaiah Joe-type piece, but with a stronger frame that gives him a higher defensive ceiling. Joe’s carved out a valuable niche in OKC as a three-point specialist, and Youngblood could eventually provide similar shooting with more positional strength on the other end.
It’s obviously early, given Youngblood hasn’t logged an official NBA game yet, but the foundation is there. If Oklahoma City decides to fill that final two-way spot before the start of the season, it would be surprising if it’s not Chris Youngblood. He’s earned it with his play, his mentality and his fit with the Thunder’s identity.
And if OKC doesn’t make this move before opening night, don’t expect him to wait long. Another team will scoop him up on a two-way deal in a heartbeat after what he’s done over the past few months.