NBA

Ex-Wolverine Derrick Walton signs with Chicago Bulls

James Hawkins
The Detroit News
Derrick Walton Jr. started his NBA career with the Miami Heat.

Former Michigan point guard Derrick Walton Jr.’s next stop on his NBA journey will bring him closer to home.

The Chicago Bulls announced on Tuesday they signed Walton, who will compete for a roster spot in training camp. Contract terms weren’t disclosed.

According to The Chicago Tribune, the Bulls already have 14 guaranteed contracts, with point guards Kris Dunn, Cameron Payne and Ryan Arcidiacono all under contract.

That means Walton, 23, faces long odds and could be left battling for a two-way contract with guard Antonius Cleveland and Arcidiacono, with Chicago’s other two-way deal already taken by guard Rawle Alkins.

Following his four-year career at Michigan, Walton signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat after going undrafted. He averaged 1.8 points, one rebound and one assist in 16 NBA games for the Heat and 16.1 points, 7.1 assists and four rebounds in 27 G-League games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce last season.

Walton played for Miami’s Summer League team this offseason and struggled with his shot, which led to the Heat withdrawing his qualifying offer and making him an unrestricted free agent. Miami filled its two-way slots with Summer League standouts Duncan Robinson, Walton’s former Michigan teammate, and Yante Maten, the ex-Georgia and Bloomfield Hills High star.

Walton joins Tim Hardaway Jr. (Knicks), Trey Burke (Knicks), Glenn Robinson III (Pistons), Nik Stauskas (Trail Blazers), Caris LeVert (Nets), D.J. Wilson (Bucks), Moritz Wagner (Lakers) and Robinson as former Wolverines under coach John Beilein with NBA contracts.

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

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