The next Israeli in the NBA? Noam Yaacov signs non-guaranteed deal with Cleveland

After not receiving approval to play for the University of Utah, Noam Yaacov is continuing his journey toward the NBA and took a big step in that direction by signing an Exhibit 10 contract with Cleveland. The deal is for one season and is non-guaranteed, at the league minimum salary, serving primarily as an invitation to training camp while allowing teams to evaluate players at low risk. Yaacov will be able to move between Cleveland's NBA team and the club's G League affiliate, which is managed by Liron Fanan. The Israeli executive was named the American development league's Executive of the Year last season.

One of the advantages of an Exhibit 10 contract is the option to convert it into a two-way contract before the start of the regular season, without needing to waive the player and re-sign him. Such a contract allows a player to belong to both the NBA team and its G League affiliate, and to play up to 50 regular season games with the main team. Each NBA team is allowed to hold up to three players on two-way contracts, in addition to the 15 players with standard contracts.

If the team decides to release a player holding an Exhibit 10 contract before the start of the season, he may be eligible for a financial bonus if he joins its G League affiliate and spends at least 60 consecutive days with the team. In the 2025/26 season, that bonus could reach up to $85,300. In this way, the player can continue to develop within the club's system, even if he fails to make the final NBA roster. It is important to emphasize that signing such a contract does not guarantee a place on the final roster or appearances in the top league.

The 21-year-old Yaacov starred last season at Oostende, averaging 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in the Belgian League, alongside 15 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game in the FIBA Basketball Champions League. He began his career at Hapoel Emek Hefer, went on to France's ASVEL, was loaned to Hapoel Jerusalem, and then returned to the team he grew up supporting, Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he played in the 2024/25 season. After just one season with the Reds, he headed to Belgium, and this past summer he participated in the NBA Draft Combine, though he was ultimately not selected in the draft.

"Right now I'm checking options in the G League, a training camp with an NBA team - that's what I want, that's what I hope to achieve, and we'll see how it develops," Yaacov said in an interview with "Double Dribble" podcast last month. "This is my time to bet on myself a bit and take this risk, which is the G League. It's a very tough league. Everyone there comes to devour each other to get an NBA contract, both the guys on your team and the ones against you, and it's a bit tough for me because I am a player who likes to play the right way. That's the basketball I know, and in the end, everyone there is coming to devour each other."