The NBA Summer League has ended, and the two former Badgers played for the Utah Jazz a grand total of three games. John Tonje appeared in two of them with mixed success, and Steven Crowl appeared in one. Crowl didn't get many opportunities, and so his output was fine but nothing spectacular. Now the question becomes, what is next for the two former Wisconsin stars?
The path forward isn't overly complicated, considering they both have clear options for what's next. However, for each of them, it looks different right now as the summer continues into August before the NBA's September training camps.
John Tonje's next step with the Jazz is signing a contract
John Tonje was drafted in the second round, so his path is limited by what the Jazz want to do with him. As a second-round pick, he isn't guaranteed a roster spot, and NBA teams often use the summer to evaluate their second-round picks. However, before training camp, he needs to be under contract with the team to continue.
He can sign an Exhibit 10 deal, which is a low-level, non-guaranteed deal, but allows him to participate in training camp and enables the Jazz to eventually stash him in the G League if they desire. He could also sign a two-way contract, which would essentially allow him to move freely between the NBA and the G-League. It's more complicated than that, but that's the essence, or he could sign a standard contract and join the Jazz.
Either way, like an NFL player after being drafted, it's now time for the player and the team to figure out a contract before the start of camp.
Steven Crowl's next step is to join the Utah Jazz for training camp
Steven Crowl has already signed an Exhibit 10 contract, which means he will join the Jazz for their training camp in September on a non-guaranteed contract. At the end of that, they can cut him or sign him to a different contract and even stash him in the G-League.
This is good news for Crowl as he only played in one game during the NBA Summer League. He needs more time to prove himself.
For both players, there is a clear path ahead, but both will be determined by how the Utah Jazz views each of them.