That’s the route Johnson took to the NBA. The Thunder took the 7-foot center in the second round of the 2015 draft and he played two seasons for the Oklahoma City Blue before making his debut as a Thunder rookie this season.
Johnson’s career began before the advent of two-way contracts, or he’d have been a strong candidate for one. Two-day deals allow players to spend a maximum of 45 days in the NBA and the rest of their season in the G League.
The Thunder has used the Blue’s proximity to send two-way players and others — like Johnson, Josh Huestis and Semaj Christon — back and forth between the Blue and the parent club.