Jazz Sign Malik Fitts To Two-Way Contract
Oct 16, 2021, 4:09 PM | Updated: Jan 13, 2022, 2:58 pm
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz have converted forward Malik Fitts contract to a two-way deal.
Fitts signed with the Jazz shortly after the team returned from their Las Vegas training camp but quickly made an impression in his limited time on the floor.
The forward averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in just under 12 minutes in the preseason, but shot an impressive 83 percent from the three-point line in 1.5 attempts per game.
As I reported yesterday, the @UtahJazz are signing Malik Fitts to a two-way contract. #TakeNote | @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/OxHM8Sh0zS
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 16, 2021
“I think the first thing that jumped out is just the consistency of his shooting,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “I think when he shoots the ball, especially when his feet are set you think it’s going in.”
Fitts spent time with the Los Angeles Clippers organization last season before signing a two-way contract with the Jazz.
The forward averaged 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in three regular season appearances for the Clippers last year.
Snyder credited Fitts time in college for his success in the NBA.
“He played for a heck of a college coach in Randy Bennett at St Mary’s,” Snyder said. “You can tell that he has an understanding of how to play.”
The @utahjazz will announce their final roster on Monday, two days before opening night.
Plus, the latest on the team's open two-way roster spot. #takenote https://t.co/ncqwcgtrX8
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 15, 2021
The Jazz also announced that they’d waived forward Nino Johnson who is expected to land with the Salt Lake City Stars. The team’s roster now stands at 14 players on guaranteed deals entering the final weekend of the preseason, plus Fitts and guard Trent Forrest on two-way contracts.
NBA teams must carry between 13-15 guaranteed roster players heading into opening night. The Jazz will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday to begin the regular season.