Beede: Magic Sign F Jamal Cain to a Two-Way Contract

[cedric76]

Nice work knightro

[drsd]

A bit uninspiring to say the least.... Why do other teams seem to get interesting 2 way guys every year and we seem to always have blah as our 2 ways?

The main purpose for two-way players is to be practice squad guys to provide training opposition for rotational Magicians. For Cain and Robinson, Magic brass must believe that these players will make the front-court players "better".

We fans cannot assess that.

The other thing these players offer is emergency depth. In that, both are "win now" signings. Both understand the NBA grind. Yes neither will be NBA caliber. But both can be thrown into an NBA game without chaos unfolding.

Said another way: Statistically for 2025/26 Cain will likely be better than Penda (rookies suck). That does not mean Cain deserves an NBA contract. Coming back to your original point, yes there are two way players that have rookie-upside. But the Magic has rookies that have that upside in Richardson and Penda. The two-way players are bench-depth guys. Because the Magic cannot afford a league minimum player. This is a money thing, not a talent acquisition thing.

In conclusion: I like this pickup. The Magic do need combo forward depth. And Cain does play hard. Happy for the kid.

[drsd]

Jamal Cain is 26 years old and is listed 6'6" 191 lbs.

Played four years at Marquette where he was a 1-year starter. Transferred down a level in his 5th year to Oakland in the Horizon League. Averaged 20-10 there and won Horizon League Player of the Year.

Went undrafted in 2022 and signed a two-way with the Heat. Played 18 games with the Heat in his rookie year.

Miami signed him to another two-way deal in 2023 and he ended up playing 26 games for them in year 2.

Then in the summer of 2024 he signed a two-way deal with New Orleans and played 37 games for them.

Much like Orlando Robinson, Cain got some actual playing time late in the year for the tanking Pelicans last year.

In April he averaged 25.1 MPG and averaged 14.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 1.4 SPG while shooting .487/.364/.708.

Excellent recap. Thank you.


Looking at his reference stats. He is a career 35% three ball shooter with a career eFG% of 53%. Also, when he plays, he is getting more than scrub minutes. In 81 total NBA games, he averages 12.4 minutes played per game. His stats look like he is almost an NBA 3rd stringer. Statistically, he was better than da Silva last year, for example.

[DiplomaticMagic]

Im okay with this.

We cant sign a 3rd two-way player until the 15th roster spot is filled.

[Howard Mass]

One thing is clear, at least through how they've approached their two-way signings so far, is that the Magic are opting for NBA experience and the (theoretical) ability to actually play if called upon a lot more than younger, more pure developmental types.

And I'm fine with that given what the expectation level should be this season.

This seems to be the case and a good thing given The stage The Magic are at.

Having players like Robinson and Cain who can at least contribute if there are injuries will help in terms of getting the best Playoff Seed possible.

[drsd]

We cant sign a 3rd two-way player until the 15th roster spot is filled.

I do not know of a rule like this. As far as I can tell, it is allowable. Do you have a link on this?

[RookieStar]

Based on this guy's career history...

Im gonna dubbed him, " Mr. Two-Way "

[RichCollab]

Based on this guy's career history...

Im gonna dubbed him, " Mr. Two-Way "

“Almost 15th man”

[basketballRob]

Another wing better than Jett.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[DiplomaticMagic]

We cant sign a 3rd two-way player until the 15th roster spot is filled.

I do not know of a rule like this. As far as I can tell, it is allowable. Do you have a link on this?

It is allowable. My bad. I believed an internet rumor