Nebraska Basketball: James Palmer Jr. signs Exhibit 10 deal with Los Angeles Clippers
By Bryan Mauro
Nebraska Basketball fans had been longing for 20 years for a player to play in the NBA. After one got drafted, could another player have a chance to make the NBA in James Palmer Jr.?
The Los Angeles Clippers have assembled one of the best rosters in the NBA the offseason. Former Nebraska Basketball player James Palmer Jr. is the latest player to sign with the team. The former Husker played for the Suns in the NBA Summer League. The guard played well in the Summer and was able to turn that performance into a deal with the Clippers.
A little bit of background is important to understand this deal. An Exhibit 10 deal is for one year only and it only guarantees that player an invite to the NBA training camp. Within the deal the player can ever work that contract into a two-way deal or they will be waived. If the player is waived the Clippers are required to offer a $5,000 to $50,000 bonus to that player if they sign with that teams G-League affiliate. If Palmer were to stay in the G-League for 60 days, he would be awarded the full amount of his bonus. The NBA started handing out these contracts to provide incentive for players to stay
in the G-League instead of going overseas to play.
NBA teams are only allowed to carry six players per year on an Exhibit 10 contract. Since the deal is for the minimum salary and is not guaranteed, it will not count against the teams’ salary cap even if the deal is converted into a two-way contract. This is the best situation for Palmer to find himself in for a couple of reasons. Some believe Palmer does have the ability to play in the NBA, and his performance in the Summer League shows that may be true. The other is not many players are awarded this kind of deal, he has some appeal to at least one NBA franchise. Signing this deal would mean Palmer would not need to go toil away in Europe for years where he may never get his shot.
The NBA is always looking for players who fit a niche. Palmer of course has things to work on, but he has shown he can dominate and take over a game. He was able to have moments like this in the Summer League as well. The G-League would be a good way for the guard to get the coaching he needs to better improve his game for the NBA. If he can play well enough in the G-League after a few years he could potentially work that into a deal with any NBA team.
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Husker fans are going to want to watch the Clippers G League affiliate as they now have two Huskers on the team with Evan Taylor and James Palmer. Any fan of the Big Ten is going to enjoy the Clippers as well. Amir Coffey from Minnesota earned a two-way deal, and James Palmer and Derrick Walton have earned an Exhibit 10 deal. It will be interesting to watch the career of James Palmer unfold, as he becomes the second Huskers to play in the NBA this year joining Isaiah Roby. The paths to the league are much different but the transition from the Miles to Hoiberg era ended with some good news for Husker fans.