A few NBA GMs reportedly believe that it’s possible that the NBA draft will expand by a round or two once the D-League has 30 teams. Such a move would require union approval and wouldn’t likely take place until every NBA team has a D-League affiliate. The Nets and Hornets have a goal of starting up one-to-one D-League affiliates in time for the 2016/17 season, and almost all of the 11 teams currently without a D-League affiliate have expressed interest in following suit within the next few years, according to TNT’s David Aldridge.
“With those independent teams, we’re in varying stages of expansion discussions,” D-League president Malcolm Turner said to Aldridge. “No question, it’s a process. Several months ago we added Toronto and they’ll start next season, and with the Indy purchase of Fort Wayne we’ll have all our teams affiliated. For 2016/17 we’re focused on adding two and perhaps three teams. Beyond that, while we haven’t written anything in stone, expansion and 30 for 30 is definitely in the discussions for us.”
Here’s more from the week that was…
Free Agent Signings
- The Wizards and Josh Harrellson agreed to a training camp deal.
- The Rockets agreed to a deal with No. 32 overall pick Montrezl Harrell.
- The Grizzlies signed Patrick Christopher.
- The Pelicans and Chris Douglas-Roberts agreed to a deal.
- The Pelicans agreed to a training camp deal with Corey Webster.
- The Timberwolves agreed to a training camp deal with center Kleon Penn.
- The Hawks agreed to a deal with small forward DeQuan Jones.
- The Pistons agreed to a deal with center Jordan Bachynski.
- The Rockets agreed to a deal with center Joshua Smith.
- The Timberwolves agreed to a deal with swingman Nick Wiggins.
- The Cavaliers agreed to a deal with forward Nick Minnerath.
- The Heat agreed to a training camp deal with John Lucas III.
- The Bulls agreed to a deal with Jordan Crawford.
- The Hawks agreed to a deal with point guard Edgar Sosa.
- The Nets signed Justin Harper.
You can stay up to date on all of the signings with Hoops Rumors’ free agent tracker.
Waivers
- The Rockets waived guard Remi Yusuf.
Miscellaneous News
- Restricted free agent Norris Cole accepted his qualifying offer from the Pelicans.
- The Mavericks reportedly held out hope as recently as late June that they could convince Steve Nash to come out of retirement to play for them this coming season.
- The Bucks extended the contract of GM John Hammond through the 2016/17 season, the team announced.
- Pacers owner Herb Simon is pursuing legal means to keep the estate of his late brother and his brother’s widow from claiming part ownership of the team.
- Cavs draft-and-stash prospect Edin Bavcic signed with Sopron of Hungary.
- The Raptors officially named Tim Lewis, Nathaniel Mitchell, and David Gale as assistant coaches for their D-League affiliate.
- The Sixers reportedly don’t expect that draft-and-stash prospect Jordan McRae will be at training camp in spite of an August report that he would be.
- Harrison Barnes parted ways with agent Jeff Wechsler of 24/7 Sports Management. Barnes replaced him with Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management.
- Jerrelle Benimon agreed to play for the Foshan Long Lions of China, and he pulled out of his reported deal with the Cavaliers to do so.
- The Hawks officially named Michael Blackstone as assistant GM, John Treloar as Director of Player Personnel, Malik Rose as Manager of Basketball Operations, Dotun Akinwale as Manager of Scouting, Matt Elijah as Manager of Basketball Administration, Daniel Starkman as Coordinator of Basketball Operations and David Painter as Director of Basketball Facilities.