Rawle Alkins signs Two-Way Contract with the Chicago Bulls

Rawle Alkins just found his new home in Chicago signing a two-way contract with the Bulls Organization.

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Rawle Alkins just finished playing on the Toronto Raptors Summer League team for the Raptors new head coach Nick Nurse. By signing with Toronto for Summer League, he got some first-hand experience being coached by an NBA Coach. And it paid off.

Fans of the Raptors pleaded on Twitter and Instagram for the organization to sign Alkins to the roster. Instead, the Raptors GM Masai Ujiri signed some of Alkins Summer League teammates, one being Chris Boucher. Then Ujiri gave news media something to talk about by making a blockbuster controversial trade: DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first-round 2019 pic for Danny Green and coveted Kawhi Leonard.

Still, Raptors fans pined for the Raptors to sign Alkins. They see the potential in the former Arizona Basketball player. But today Raptors fans of the North will feel a sinking feeling in their stomachs when the read the tweets first from Shams Charnia and then from Yahoo sports analyst Jordan Schultz stating that Alkins has signed with the Chicago Bulls on a Two-Way contract. Alkins will share time with the Windy City Bulls.

Rawle backed up the Tweet with an Instagram story confirming the news, “LET’S GO!!! @chicagobulls.” His response to ZZ? “Savage Life!” Well of course!

Back with his teammate from his freshman year at Arizona, Lauri Markkanen, Wildcats fans will be able to at some point see both players on the same court wearing red and white. The Chicago Bulls organization was hot on Alkins last summer and told ZZ as much. After experiencing Markkenan’s success, it only makes sense for the Bulls organization to re-up and sign another Wildcat!

Alkins performs well in the city of Chicago. He stood out playing in both last season’s and this seasons NBA Combine. He scored 17 points and blocked five shots, and added six rebounds, and two assists in one scrimmage game. Alkins could have signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors but decided to bet on himself and play in summer league. In the process, he changed his sports representation to a more prominent agency in Rosenhaus, and within a week, Alkins was signed by the Chicago Bulls to a much better deal.

According to Satchel Price, of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"The plan appears to have worked because the Bulls offered him the upgraded two-way deal he sought, which means he’ll make $75,000 in the G-League and can spend up to 45 days on the Bulls’ NBA roster, where he would receive an NBA salary. That’s a step up from the Exhibit 10 deal, which would’ve guaranteed a training camp invite and $50,000 as a player for Toronto’s G-League affiliate, but no NBA opportunities.The Bulls now have a crowded mix on the wings entering the 2018-19 season. Probable starters Zach LaVine and Jabari Parker will be joined in camp by Alkins, Justin Holiday, Denzel Valentine, Antonio Blakeney and first-round pick Chandler Hutchison."

We believe Rawle can carve out a spot, fans will enjoy him, and he will make highlight reels, you can ccount on it!

Alkins also helped Toronto make it round two as the No. 29 team, which was a feat in itself. Opportunities to play up in the NBA for Two-Way players regularly happen. Last season, for example, it was injuries that made way for Clippers and Memphis Two-Way players to get some serious minutes in the NBA as an example. Just ask Kobi Simmons who just killed it in Summer League getting to the semi-finals and losing by only five points to the eventual Champion Trailblazers just after beating Alkins Raptors team. 

If you weren’t aware, the G-League Two-Way deals are more lucrative this season. Alkins  stands to make up to $385,000 as well as possibly being signed) according to Adam Johnson:

"The deals themselves increase at the rate of the salary cap (players stand to make approximately $385,000 during the 2018–19 season, up from $275,000 from this past year)"

We have all been waiting to find out where our Arizona Basketball players will play next season as professionals. Deandre Ayton was picked No. 1 in the NBA Draft by the Suns will stay home for Wildcats fans to enjoy. But someone had to send Ayton the ball all of last season, right? Allonzo Trier came out of the gates signing a Two-Way with the New York Knicks and did well in Summer League. Both he and Alkins passed the ball to Dre, along with Dusan Ristic! So shouldn’t they be pros too? One would assume. Anyway, Dus decided to play professionally abroad in Belgrade, and he can finally celebrate his teammate Rawle beginning his pro career:

So Lauri and Rawle will be living the Savage Life in Chicago! Brace yourselves Chicago!

https://twitter.com/Iam_RawleAlkins/status/1021148329340633090

Here is a lesson on what the Savage Life means to Lauri and Rawle and how Rawle originated the mantra:

Must Read: More on Rawle Alkins from ZZ..

Bulls fans, welcome to Wildcat Nation! You have way too much to look forward too! King Rawle is a fan favorite, a jack of all trades, a glue guy and one of the most tenacious and heart-felt players now in the NBA. Have fun with King Rawle!