Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy admits he’s contemplating the idea of sending Brandon Jennings and Jodie Meeks to the D-League in what would amount to rehab assignments as they work their way back from their respective injuries, but that decision isn’t entirely up to him. Players who have at least three prior seasons of experience don’t have to go on D-League assignments if they don’t want to, and even if they give their OK, the players union also has to sign off on it. That used to be the rule for everyone except first- and second-year players, but the ability for teams to unilaterally assign players to the D-League was expanded to third-year players for the 2013/14 season.
Eight veterans since then have gone down to the D-League with the consent of the team, the union and the player himself. Most notable among them was Rajon Rondo, who was with the D-League Maine Red Claws for all of one practice before Boston recalled him to the NBA. That was a rehab assignment of the sort the Pistons are thinking about for Jennings and Meeks, as Rondo was making his way back from a torn ACL.
Rehab was the reason that three veteran Sixers went to the D-League earlier this year. Carl Landry, in his ninth season, and Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten, both fourth-year veterans, gave their OK to go to the Delaware 87ers so they could ease their way into NBA action as they return from injuries. Still, the rule doesn’t apply only for players who are recovering.
Here’s a look at each of the players who, along with the union, gave their consent to D-League assignments since 2013/14, the season the rule was adjusted:
- Carl Landry, Sixers (2015/16)
- Kendall Marshall, Sixers (2015/16)
- Tony Wroten, Sixers (2015/16)
- Xavier Henry, Lakers (2014/15)
- Rajon Rondo, Celtics (2013/14)
- Cole Aldrich, Knicks (2013/14)
- Reggie Williams, Thunder (2013/14)
- Austin Daye, Spurs (2013/14)
Tony Wroten?
Good call! I added him in there.