Veteran power forward Amile Jefferson, who appeared in 30 games for the Magic between 2018-20 and was in camp with the Celtics last December, has returned to his alma mater and will be part of the Duke staff going forward. The Blue Devils announced today in a press release that Jefferson has been named the director of player development for the men’s basketball team.
“This is an honor to be back at Duke and I’m so grateful to Coach (Mike) Krzyzewski for considering me for this opportunity,” Jefferson said in a statement. “I’d also like to thank Coach (Jon) Scheyer for his help through the process and look forward to his leadership in the future. Duke has been a part of my story and my life and it’s a privilege to give back to the program and the University that has meant so much. I can’t wait to work with these guys — helping them develop, grow and learn — and be a small part of something bigger than myself.”
In addition to playing in the NBA and the G League since going pro in 2017, Jefferson – who won a title with Duke in ’15 – has spent some time overseas, playing for Turkish team Galatasaray in 2020/21. It’s unclear if the 28-year-old will look to resume his playing career at some point or if he’s prepared to transition to coaching full-time.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Up-and-coming Romanian-born point guard Tudor Somacescu, who turned 16 in June, became the 12th player to sign with the Overtime Elite league, as Jonathan Givony of ESPN writes. Somacescu is the youngest player to sign with Overtime Elite to date, per Givony.
- Dzanan Musa, a first-round pick in 2018, has joined Spanish team CB Breogan, according to agent Misko Raznatovic. Musa appeared in 49 across two seasons with Brooklyn before being traded to Detroit last November. The Pistons waived him a month later and he spent most of the 2020/21 season with Anadolu Efes.
- Point guard looks like the strongest position in this year’s free agent class, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, who writes that as many as 10 starting-caliber players could be available on the open market. Based on Hollinger’s system, Dennis Schröder barely cracks the top-10 list of free agent point guards, while Derrick Rose comes in at No. 11.
- In two more stories for The Athletic, Hollinger also previewed this year’s crop of free agent shooting guards and small forwards. There are no elite shooting guards available, but the class includes several reliable rotation options. At small forward, despite his injury, Kawhi Leonard easily headlines a group that doesn’t include a ton of surefire starters.
Hollinger also voted Gobert 2nd for mvp.
The one thing you have to remember is that whenever there is a big free agent class at any certain position, it also means there is an equal number of teams missing a player at that position. Because each of those players left their team with a hole at the spot. So usually you will have either most players returning to their old team or a game of musical chairs with several players swapping spots. But regardless, the large class is always accompanied by a large group of suitors.
Dzanan Musa was a bust. Thought he would be good after the DLo years, but never turned into a good role player at the least.
Hollinger is not afraid to be both not afraid to be unique, and willing to represent common opinion. I have to appreciate that. Some valuations:
1.CPaul $3/123mil or 3/144(PHX).
2.Lowery, 2/50, likely a complex deal
3.Conley, also 35, he values at $25m, could cost Jazz $65m luxury
4.Ball, ceiling 4/100
5.Graham, 3/55+, ‘+’ due to the RFA system
6.Dinwiddie, 3/40 (ouch!) complex deal
7-8. iffy if a starter: McConnell,Caruso
9-14. MLE: Nunn, Shroder, Rose, RJackson, Dragic, Mills
15-21. More than min: Joseph, Neto (benefits from Westbrook), Micic, Arci, SabanLee, Payne (limited to $11m by Suns; why put him here?), McLaughlin
22-31. Min: LWilliams (PER14), Ish, Frank, Elfrid, Dennis, Teague, Wannamaker, MJames, Goodwin, Delly
Several rookies… Suggs, Mitchell, maybe CC.
Dinwiddie is the best FA PG available period. Mavs would be smart to sign him and let Jr walk. Luka dominating the ball is not going to win anything. Rose is leaving NY. He will end his career here as a backup. Knicks have to sign, draft (move up), or trade for a starting PG. just sign Dinwiddie for two yrs 45 mill. Nets won’t match.
Musa for MVP of the Spanish league. Maybe then someone will sign him.