This time last year, Robert Covington was on the Rockets roster but in the midst of a D-League assignment that had begun November 7th and wouldn’t end until this past January 18th. He went down for several more assignments last year, and after the Rockets released him just shy of opening night this year, he became the first pick in the D-League draft and spent a few more weeks on the circuit until the Sixers signed him in mid-November. Covington credits all of that D-League experience with helping him to a strong start in Philadelphia, where he’s knocked down 17 of 32 three-point attempts, as Tom Moore of Calkins Media notes via Twitter. No one on NBA rosters hopes to spend as much time in the D-League as Covington did, but they have a chance to benefit if they do. Here are the latest assignments and recalls:
- The Hawks are sending 15th overall pick Adreian Payne to the D-League again, just two days after recalling him, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). Vivlamore indicates that it’s unclear which D-League team he’ll play for. That signals that perhaps the D-League will be exercising its new rules for accommodating assignments for the 13 NBA teams that share the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, of which the Hawks are one. Still, it’d be odd if the D-League sent Payne to another affiliate, since the Mad Ants don’t have anyone else on NBA assignment aside from Glen Rice Jr. of the Wizards.
- That’s in part because Atlanta recalled John Jenkins and Mike Muscala from the Mad Ants today, the Hawks announced (Twitter link). Jenkins had been on assignment since November 28th, while Muscala was with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for just two days.
- Russ Smith is back with the Pelicans after a three-day assignment to Fort Wayne, New Orleans announced. This year’s 47th overall pick averaged 14.5 points and 3.0 steals in 26.0 minutes per game over two D-League contests, but Smith, a point guard, totaled nine turnovers and just six assists.
- Ricky Ledo is headed on D-League assignment for the fourth time this year, the Mavs announced (on Twitter). He’s yet to appear in a game for the big club this season, and he’s putting up 12.0 PPG in 34.0 MPG across five D-League contests.