NBA: Media: Suns give James “real” contract

Mike James has played himself as a two-way player in the rotation of the Phoenix Suns. According to ESPN, the Guard will now be rewarded with a conventional NBA contract.

The move will take place on Thursday. However, Phoenix still has to scoop up a squad position for this. If there is no trade, releasing Forward Derrick Jones would be the easiest way to do so.

James would be a pioneer: only since this season have two-way deals been in place that allow players to play in the G-League and spend up to 45 days with the NBA team. Now that these 45 days have elapsed, James becomes the first two-way player to take the step towards becoming a traditional NBA player.

James has played an average of 10.5 points and 4.5 assists for the Suns so far and was often even a starter after Phoenix broke up with Eric Bledsoe. The 27-year-old previously played in Croatia, Israel, Spain and Greece.