We’re a week into the 2017/18 NBA regular season, and a little more than a week away from this year’s G League season getting underway as well. The developmental league, renamed earlier this year to reflect its new partnership with Gatorade, will feature a record-high 26 teams in 2017/18, with only four NBA teams – the Wizards, Nuggets, Pelicans, and Trail Blazers – lacking an affiliate of their own.
With 26 rosters to fill, the G League currently features some interesting names. A handful of NBA veterans are looking to make their way back into the league by proving their worth with G League clubs, and several recent first- or second-round picks in the NBA draft have found themselves in the G League too.
With the help of Mark Porcaro’s player movement database, here are some of the noteworthy players on G League rosters:
Players with extensive NBA experience:
A pair of veteran NBA centers are playing in the G League for the first time in their respective careers this season after failing to earn spots on NBA rosters this fall. Kendrick Perkins will suit up for the Canton Charge (Cavs), while Emeka Okafor has joined the Delaware 87ers (Sixers).
Veteran swingman Shawne Williams, a first-round pick back in 2006, is also among the longtime NBA players looking to get back into the league by impressing teams with his G League play. Williams, who played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders back in 2013/14, has seven years of NBA experience, but hasn’t appeared in the league since 2014/15. He’ll play for the Timberwolves‘ new affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.
Recent NBA draft picks:
A number of players currently on G League rosters were selected in the first round of the NBA draft within the last several years. The most notable player in this group is probably Anthony Bennett, 2013’s first overall pick, who is looking to turn his career around for the Northern Arizona Suns (Suns).
Some of the others on that list include Trey Burke, the ninth overall pick in 2013, who is playing for the Westchester Knicks (Knicks); 2012 first-rounder Tony Wroten, who is suiting up for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets); James Young, 2014’s 17th overall pick, who is a member of the Wisconsin Herd (Bucks); and R.J. Hunter, a 2015 first-round pick who will join Wroten on the Vipers.
There’s also no shortage of recent second-round picks on G League rosters. The 2016 draft class is particularly well-represented, with second-rounders like Diamond Stone, Stephen Zimmerman, Michael Gbinije, and Georges Niang all playing in the G League. Gbinije and Niang are both on the Santa Cruz Warriors’ (Warriors) roster, while Stone is playing for the Windy City Bulls (Bulls) and Zimmerman is on the South Bay Lakers (Lakers).
Two-way players:
These players signed two-way contracts rather than straight G League contracts, which separates them from the rest of the player pool a little, affording them more opportunities. For instance, it already appears as if two-way player Mike James will be a mainstay on the Suns‘ roster this season, likely having his two-way deal converted into an NBA contract at some point.
Still, it’s worth mentioning that there are a number of interesting names among the inaugural group of two-way players. The Rockets‘ two-way players, Briante Weber and Demetrius Jackson, both have NBA experience, as do the Bucks‘ two-way players – Gary Payton II and Joel Bolomboy – and the Trail Blazers‘ duo of Wade Baldwin and C.J. Wilcox.
Adreian Payne, who is a two-way player for the Lakeland Magic (Magic), was the 15th overall pick in 2014. Anthony Brown, who has a two-way contract with the Timberwolves, was also a recent NBA draftee, going 34th overall in 2015.
Unlike standard G League players, two-way players aren’t free to sign a new contract with any NBA team, since their NBA rights are held by their current club.