10:08am: The Wizards have officially signed Bernard to a two-way deal, the team announced today in a press release.
8:30am: The Wizards, who are opening up a two-way contract slot by waiving big man John Butler Jr., intend to use that open spot to sign guard Jules Bernard to a two-way deal, reports Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).
An undrafted rookie out of UCLA in 2022, Bernard played for the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s G League affiliate, in his first professional season. In 49 games for the Go-Go in 2022/23, he averaged 13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 26.1 minutes per night, posting a shooting line of .425/.324/.805.
The 6’7″ shooting guard, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Wizards prior to training camp and then returned to the Go-Go to open the ’23/24 season, has taken a significant step forward in the early going. Through eight Showcase Cup contests in the NBAGL this fall, Bernard has raised his averages to 21.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 4.3 APG on .475/.422/.914 shooting, earning a call-up to Washington’s 18-man NBA roster.
A player on a full-season two-way deal in 2023/24 is eligible to appear in up to 50 regular season games and earn a salary of $559,782. However, because Bernard is signing during the season, those amounts will be prorated.
Assuming he officially finalizes a deal with Washington on Friday, Bernard will be eligible to play in up to 37 NBA games. He’ll make $415,011 if he remains under contract through the NBA’s league-wide salary guarantee date in January.
Eugene Omoruyi and Jared Butler are the other two Wizards players on two-way deals.