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Both of Arkansas’ electric guards from the last couple of seasons have made their first moves in their professional careers. Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon have both signed training camp deals with NBA Teams. Barford’s deal with the Charlotte Hornets has been officially announced.
OFFICIAL: The Hornets have signed guard Jaylen Barford and forwards Zach Smith and Isaiah Wilkins to the team’s training camp roster #BuzzCity https://t.co/Rngk4wki9G pic.twitter.com/Kh1JlRaK6f
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) July 26, 2018
Macon’s deal with the Dallas Mavericks hasn’t been officially announced yet but Miami reporter Barry Jackson was the first to say he is signing a deal.
Undrafted Arkansas point guard Daryl Macon, who was offered a contract by the Heat after impressing Miami in summer league, has decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 25, 2018
NBA teams can bring 20 players to their training camps before trimming their opening night rosters to 15. With the Hornets announcement, their roster is up to 18 while the Mavs currently have 18 not including Macon. The NBA can also offer two players two way deals where they can spend 45 days with the NBA team and the rest with their G-League affiliate. The Hornets have both spots filled so that isn’t an option for Barford, but Macon could still fill the Mavs’ second two way spot.
So while it’s unlikely that either would make their NBA rosters, the two are likely signing what’s called an Exhibit 10 deal, which gives the players a signing bonus when they sign with the G-League affiliate of the team that signed them. So most likely the Mavs and Hornets signed the two former Hogs to lock them up for their G-League affiliates.