Former Duke Star Finally Secures NBA Contract After Dominant Summer League

Former Duke one-and-done star DJ Steward has officially landed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls after a fantastic NBA Summer League performance.

Steward has been trying to stick on an NBA team since his lone year as a Blue Devil in 2020-21, appearing in 32 games with the Boston Celtics' G League affiliate (Maine Celtics) last year. The Chicago native was perhaps the Bulls' best player this summer, averaging 17.4 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.

He's a dynamite scorer and could quickly find a role as a spark-plug scorer off the bench for the rebuilding Bulls.

Former Duke G DJ Steward Signs Two-Way Contract With Bulls

During his only year as a Blue Devil, Steward averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per contest on 42.6% shooting and 34% from three-point range, earning Freshman All-ACC honors for his efforts.

He's become a more complete scorer in the G League, one of only six players in 2023-24 to average 19 or more points with at least 30 games played.

A two-way contract means that Steward can play up to 50 games with the Chicago Bulls and will split time between the NBA team and Chicago's G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. This is a major step for Steward's dream of becoming a full-time NBA player.

He should get every opportunity to prove himself in Chicago. The organization is in desperate need of promising young players, and this deal is a sign that the Bulls believe in Steward's potential and eventual development.

It may have taken longer than he wanted but Steward is one step closer. These last few years gave him the chance to improve, now he'll have to show his stellar summer was no fluke.

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