NBA HOYAS: Jamorko Pickett Earns Two-Way Contract with Detroit Pistons

Jamorko Pickett, a fan-favorite of the Georgetown Hoyas—and one of Patrick Ewing’s first recruits—has been signed to a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons.

The 6’9” forward out of D.C. turned many heads in August during a stellar NBA Summer League. Pickett put together a handful of really solid games of terrific shooting. Analysts, scouts, and fans were taking notice and Pickett’s awakening became a feel-good story around the league.

Pickett was reportedly on an Exhibit 10 contract, which afforded him a camp tryout.

It was upsetting that the Pistons ostensibly didn’t have a spot for Pickett at the beginning of camp. Detroit likely had one of their unavailable two-way contracts open up after signing Luka Garza to a full roster spot.

According to the NBA G League website, “NBA teams may have up to two players under NBA Two-Way Contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League and not more than 45 days with their NBA team” and “[t]wo-Way players are paid a corresponding daily amount based on the number of days they play in each league.” This is a pretty good deal if you’re hoping to latch on to an NBA roster as you develop.

‘I know I belong here’ – Jamorko Pickett looks like another find for Pistons GM Troy Weaver | Detroit Pistons | NBA

It was hard not to see all of those things from Pickett, who hit the ground running in Las Vegas and never let up. Along the way, news broke that Pickett had signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Pistons that means an invitation to training camp and a path to a spot on the roster of the Motor City Cruise, the Pistons G League affiliate, without being exposed to the G League draft.

Another NBA team could still sign Pickett to a standard or two-way contract if he’s waived by the Pistons before the start of the NBA season, but most teams have rosters already close to full. Pickett got what he wanted out of Summer League – playing time to open eyes.

“I think I did exactly that,” he said. “I was given opportunities and I took the most of them. I know I belong here. It’s always having that mindset – knowing I belong, knowing I should start. That’s what pushed me when I did have the opportunity to excel.”

Our esteemed colleagues at Detroit Bad Boys wrote about some things that Pickett did very well, but are clearly unaware of the terrific rebounding and defense that Hoyas fans got to see develop over four years.

Can Jamorko Pickett Be More Than A Training Camp Body? | DETROITBADBOYS

While Pickett’s off-the-ball skills are not currently at the level of Robinson, being a tall and lanky player with a high release point that is a mismatch problem means Pickett can cause problems for opposing defenses.

I also think Pickett has incredibly consistent shooting mechanics. His foot placement and release look the same every time I see him shoot the ball—even on the few times he shot off the dribble. For me, this is part of being a good shooter as you have to be able to recreate your mechanics as much as possible under a variety of situations and Pickett seems to have really worked on that.

If I had to guess I would bet Coach Ewing and his staff had a lot to do with in order to keep Pickett as a consistent outside threat for guys like James Akinjo, Mac McClung, and (this past season) Dante Harris to operate. For the Pistons, he can continue to do this for Cade, Killian, Saben Lee, or even Hamidou Diallo, and Josh Jackson.

Jamorko Pickett arrived a skilled but flawed player, but in Summer League he showed progress everywhere | Detroit Bad Boys

In some of my pieces from last season, I detailed how Dwane Casey’s system seems to keep helping various players get better. That combined with the natural progression of some players, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we have some signs of improvement to report about Jamorko after just one Summer League.

In the triples department, he not only showed that he can make it from NBA distance, he can do so efficiently.

He made 9 out of 18 shots from distance during Summer League. As we can see, he’s quite a versatile three-point marksman. He can make catch-and-shoot treys and he can sink them off the bounce. Although there weren’t any clean off-movement attempts from Pickett, he made a couple while being active on the perimeter and while filling the corners in transition. So movement shooting in some capacity is definitely known to him and he should be able to develop it further.

Weeks ago, Pickett posted some favorite photos, including one of him signing his Exhibit 10 contract. Can’t wait to see the photos of him signing that two-way contract!

Congratulations, Jamorko! HOYA SAXA!