Michigan State Basketball: Kalin Lucas signs 2-way deal with Pistons
Former Michigan State basketball star and fan favorite Kalin Lucas has signed a two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons.
A familiar face will be back in the Detroit area soon as former Michigan State point guard and fan favorite Kalin Lucas is returning home after signing a two-way deal with the Pistons.
According to sources, the #Pistons are signing former MSU point guard Kalin Lucas to a two-way deal, cutting Zach Lofton.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) January 15, 2019
In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, a two-way player is one who signs a deal with an NBA team and agrees to split time with the club and its G-League affiliate. Lucas has spent most of his career in the G-League but will get a shot to prove himself with the Pistons and potentially earn a roster spot down the line — Matt Costello had this same deal with the Spurs.
Lucas will be welcomed home by Spartan fans everywhere who probably haven’t been tracking his progress in the “farm system”.
Though he’s been away from Michigan State for about eight years now, he’s been making a name for himself in the G-League. He’s been playing for the Stockton Kings this season and he’s averaging a career-best 22.0 points and 6.3 assists to go along with 1.1 steals. He’s also shooting about 44 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Those numbers don’t exactly scream “NBA sixth man” but he has the potential to carve out a role for himself in Detroit if he shows he can make the most of his minutes.
Many expected big things from Lucas when he was at Michigan State and he even looked like a guy who could leave East Lansing early for the NBA, but an Achilles injury crushed those dreams.
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This could be the opportunity he’s been waiting for and even if he sees minimal court time, he’s still going to play some at the NBA level this season, most likely. Great news for the former Spartan star.