Did Jaden Akins do enough to earn a 2-way contract with the New York Knicks?

Spartan Avenue · Jul 21, 2026 18:41 · 3 min read

Did Jaden Akins do enough to earn a 2-way contract with the New York Knicks? — Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) shakes hands with teammates during warm up before the Michigan game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, February 18, 2023. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jaden Akins appeared with the New York Knicks during NBA Summer League play this month but did he do enough to earn a contract?

Following a breakout season with the Motor City Cruise in the G-League, Jaden Akins was poised to improve his standing in the NBA ecosystem. He was hoping to shake off that two-way contract and make a roster following an appearance during the NBA Summer League.

As a “vet” in Summer League play, Akins signed with the New York Knicks which surprised a lot of fans who were hoping to see him suit up for the Pistons.

Instead, he signed with the NBA champs’ Summer League team and there he averaged 11.3 points per game and had two really solid performance and one dud. His first game was the dud, scoring just two points on 0-for-5 shooting from the floor. He looked out of sorts and it may have had something to do with getting acclimated with his new teammates.

Akins settled in during his second game, scoring 21 points and making 9-of-20 shots from the floor. He did a little of everything from hitting threes to driving the lane to playing scrappy defense. These are the reasons that Tom Izzo loved coaching him. Even when he’s getting it done offensively, he doesn’t forget the defensive end of the floor.

That 21-point game launched him back into the conversation for a two-way contract after standing on shaky ground because of an 0-for-5 game.

In his Summer League finale (he only played three games), Akins finished with 11 points off the bench and he played well enough to earn 20-plus minutes. He played more than anyone who came off the bench and his production was a big reason for that. Akins got it done on both ends.

But did he do enough this Summer League?

Jaden Akins’ case has been made but was it enough?

I touched on this after his final game with the Knicks last week, but Akins made one final pitch to the organization for one of their two-way contracts. This would mean that he would split time between the Knicks’ active roster and their G-League affiliate which would be the best-case scenario for him after that first Summer League outing.

To me, it’s about the whole body of work. Someone could break out during Summer League play, but if they have no other proven experience, does it hold much weight?

Akins was a G-League All-Star last season with the Cruise but he was just above average during the Summer League, so to me, you go with the larger sample size. I would bet that the Knicks had a good idea of what they were going to do with Akins when they signed him to their Summer League roster and I’d bet it has something to do with adding him to their G-League roster.

I think his 2025-26 G-League performance is going to earn him a two-way contract.

Will it be with the Knicks? That would obviously be the early favorite since he basically tried out for them this month, but at least one organization will make him the offer.

Will we see Akins in the NBA next season? Honestly, I do think we’ll see Akins play at least a game or two in the league after (hopefully) signing a two-way contract.