Ron Baker (Knicks) and Gary Payton II (Rockets) headline undrafted players signing contracts with NBA teams

Some intriguing players went undrafted, but many of them are still getting NBA contracts.

Ron Baker:

Sources: Wichita State's Ron Baker has agreed to a partially guaranteed 1-year deal with the New York Knicks. Baker was undrafted tonight.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 24, 2016

Gary Payton II:

Houston Rockets will sign undrafted free agent Gary Payton II to three-year deal, league sources inform @clevelanddotcom.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 24, 2016

Robert Carter:

Maryland undrafted free agent center Robert Carter reached a deal with Golden State Warriors, league source tells @clevelanddotcom.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 24, 2016

James Webb III:

Sources: 76ers and Boise State's James Webb III have agreed to a partially guaranteed two-year deal, with chance to compete for roster spot.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2016

Yogi Ferrell:

Yogi Ferrell turned down several draft-and-stash opportunities, per source. He's secured a partial guarantee from Brooklyn.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 24, 2016

Isaiah Taylor:

Texas undrafted guard Isaiah Taylor has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell The Vertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2016

Kyle Wiltjer:

According to NBA sources Rockets reach 3-year deal with Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer who went undrafted.

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2016

Sheldon McClellan:

Miami's Sheldon McClellan will sign a partially guaranteed contract w/ the Washington Wizards, source says. Turned down stash offers in 2nd.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2016

Danuel House:

Undrafted Danuel House of Texas A &M has agreed to a deal with Washington, league source tells @TheVertical.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 24, 2016

A rule of thumb: Longer contracts are almost always better for teams in these situations. The final years rarely have any guarantees. So, if the player pans out, he’s locked into a below-market deal. If he doesn’t, he gets waived and earns nothing for those additional years.

That’s why teams offer partial guarantees in the first season – to incentivize the player to accept more years.

Many of these players will wind up in training camp, cut then assigned to the D-League. But for now, NBA teams have locked them down.