Two-way players will be eligible to play in playoffs this season

Traditionally, two-way players are not eligible to play in postseason games though a rule that has been in place since the 2017-18 season.

However, there will be an exception to that rule for the 2019-20 season. A league source confirmed to BostonSportsJournal.com that players on two-way contracts will be allowed to suit up in the playoffs when included on the 13-man active roster for the first time in NBA history.

We have known for weeks that two-way players are going to be eligible to play during seeding (regular season) games within the Orlando bubble following negotiations with the league and NBPA. NBA teams will be allowed to bring 17 players to Orlando (15 roster players plus two two-ways) for the resumption of the NBA season next month. Thirteen players can be made active for any game per NBA rules.

Normally, two-way players can only be with their parent club for 45 days (practices and games) during the NBA regular season before their service-time clock with the team runs out. Those 45 days don’t extend to the postseason, forcing teams to convert their deal to an NBA contract before the postseason begins if they want to make them eligible for postseason play.

With the risk of injury and COVID-19 illness heightened in Orlando, both the league and players association decided it would make far more sense to expand two-way players’ eligibility into the postseason, according to multiple sources. Bringing those players down to Orlando for just two weeks of regular season games would have been a lot of work for minimal need. With the rule change for this year, added depth will be available for teams during a postseason run if multiple injuries or illnesses pop up across the roster.

BSJ Analysis: It will be fascinating to see how Brad Stevens handles this development with his own two-way players in Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall, who are expected to join the team in Orlando. While it’s safe to say both players won’t have a consistent role on a healthy roster during the playoffs, there are certain matchups in which having one or both available as situational options could make sense for Boston.

Waters is easily one of the most NBA-ready two-way players in the league, something that stands out after he racked up numerous G-League honors earlier this month. He’s only played in 10 NBA games for the Celtics this season, but he has made a meaningful impact with his defense and passing in a couple of those performances (vs. Sacramento, vs. Phoenix), especially as a pressure defender at the point of attack against opposing point guards.

Waters’ weaknesses are clear, as his 5-foot-10 frame will put a target on his back for playoff opponents hunting for post mismatches any time he steps on the floor. However, Waters’ defensive ability and shot creation ability as a passer make him a more useful piece at the back end of the 13-man active roster compared to other rookies (Carsen Edwards, Vincent Poirier) in certain matchups. That would certainly be the case if any of the C’s ball handlers suffer illness or injury in Orlando.

Fall’s 7-foot-5 stature speaks for itself, so having him around for an end-game situational defensive possession (guarding the inbounder or a big man at the basket) may be a more preferable option than other smaller centers on the roster. Fall has appeared in six games for the Celtics this year and was named to the G-League All-Defensive team last week.

The Celtics will have to submit their travel roster to Orlando by Wednesday, July 1st.