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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/17/17

December 17th, 2017 at 3:47pm CST by clarkcrum

Here are Sunday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

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Southeast Notes: J. Johnson, Hezonja, G League, Batum

December 17th, 2017 at 10:12am CST by Arthur Hill

James Johnson may be the latest addition to the Heat’s long list of injured players, writes Ira Winderman of The-Sun Sentinel. Johnson will have an MRI today to determine the extent of a lower-leg issue that forced him to leave Saturday’s game. He is in the midst of another productive season, averaging 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 28 games, and an extended absence would be a significant blow to a team already reeling from injuries.

Miami is without center Hassan Whiteside, who has missed two weeks with a bone bruise on his left knee and won’t join the team for a two-game road trip, along with Justise Winslow [strained knee], Okaro White [foot surgery] and Rodney McGruder [leg surgery]. The injuries have created more playing time for rookie Bam Adebayo and free agent additions Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Mickey.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with J.J. He’s talked to me a lot,” Mickey said. “He’s always said, ‘Eventually your number will get called.’ I’m not happy in this particular position [with Johnson out], but I’ll be ready, Coach needs me and I’m already ready.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

  • Injuries are also creating an opportunity for Magic small forward Mario Hezonja, notes Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. With Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Arron Afflalo all sidelined, Hezonja has started the past three games with uneven results, Robbins notes. The fifth player taken in the 2015 draft, Hezonja may be looking at his last chance to prove himself before unrestricted free agency next summer. Orlando declined to pick up his fourth-year option in October. “You’ve just got to find your own rhythm but still be in the system,” Hezonja said. “If I go out [and try to excel] individually, I’m going to look good, but we’re going to lose. We’re not going to win a lot of games like that. Everybody has to step up like that, has to have that mindset.”
  • The Magic are enjoying the benefits of having a G League affiliate close to home, relays John Denton of NBA.com. The organization moved its affiliate from Erie, Pa., to Lakeland, Fla., over the summer, which is paying off with the recent rash of injuries. Jamel Artis and Adreian Payne were able to attend practice with the Magic Tuesday morning, even though they had a G League game that night, then were available for Wednesday’s NBA contest.
  • Nicolas Batum offered a reminder of why the Hornets gave him a five-year, $120MM contract with with a season-high 23-point performance Saturday, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. For most of this season, Batum has been deferring to other players on offense after returning from a torn ligament in his left elbow that he suffered in the preseason. “I was trying to adjust myself to the other guys way too much,” he said, “when sometimes I have to let them adjust to me.”
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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/16/17

December 16th, 2017 at 12:44pm CST by marksuleymanov

Here are the G League transactions for today:

  • The Spurs announced on Saturday that guard Derrick White has been recalled from the team’s G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. Through six games with San Antonio, White averaged 1.5 PPG and 1.5 RPG in less than eight minutes per game.
  • The Pacers announced on Saturday that T.J. Leaf and Ike Anigbogu have been assigned to the team’s G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Leaf has appeared in 25 games for the Pacers this season, averaging 3.3 PPG; Anigbogu has appeared in just six games for the Pacers.
  • The Jazz has recalled Tony Bradley from their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, the team announced (via Twitter). The 19-year-old has appeared in seven games for Utah this season.
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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/15/17

December 15th, 2017 at 10:49pm CST by Austin Kent

Here are the G League transactions from the day:

  • The Magic have assigned Khem Birch to their affiliate in Lakeland, the team’s public relations department tweets. Birch has seen big league action in just 11 minutes this season but is averaging 14.0 points and 9.8 rebounds in the G League.
  • The Nets have recalled point guard Isaiah Whitehead from their Long Island affiliate, the team announced in a press release. Whitehead has averaged 7.0 points in 12.1 minutes per game with Brooklyn.
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And-Ones: Doncic, Gee, Mexico City, NBPA

December 15th, 2017 at 2:19pm CST by Luke Adams

A highlight of Real Madrid star Luka Doncic crossing over former Trail Blazers forward Victor Claver went viral on Thursday, and representatives from a number of NBA teams were on hand to see it in person. According to international basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link), the Sixers, Suns, Clippers, Magic, Mavericks, Pelicans, Wizards, and others all had officials in attendance.

Of course, given how highly regarded Doncic is, most of these teams are unlikely to have a shot at him in the 2018 NBA draft. In singling out some of the risers and fallers in the latest update to their 2018 big board, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN (Insider link) explain why Doncic is at the top of their rankings.

According to Givony and Schmitz, who refer to Doncic as “the most productive European prospect of all time,” the 6’8″ guard could have a legit chance to win the EuroLeague’s MVP award this season. Some scouts worry about his athleticism, his defense, or his ability to create shots, so it’s not a lock that he’ll go No. 1 in June. But Doncic, at age 18, is already one of the best scorers and facilitators in Europe, in the eyes of Givony and Schmitz.

Here’s more from around the basketball world:

  • Veteran NBA swingman Alonzo Gee is headed to the G League, according to Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days, who tweets that the Heat‘s affiliate (the Sioux Falls Skyforce) has claimed Gee off waivers. The 30-year-old, who has appeared in regular season games for six NBA clubs, last played for the Nuggets in 2016/17.
  • After reporting last week that the NBA intends to establish a G League franchise in Mexico City, Marc Stein of The New York Times takes a deep dive into the issue and outlines why the league is more seriously considering the viability of eventually expanding to Mexico — not just with a G League team, but with an NBA club. The fact that Mexico City shares a time zone with so many current NBA clubs is a major plus, as commissioner Adam Silver observes.
  • The players’ union and former NBPA executive director Billy Hunter have reached a settlement in their legal battle, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter links). After the NBPA fired Hunter in 2013, the longtime executive director sued the union for $10MM+, and the union counter-sued. Terms of the settlement weren’t disclosed, but Hunter said in a statement that he’s happy about “moving forward after years of hard-fought litigation on both sides.”
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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/14/17

December 14th, 2017 at 8:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • On the heels of a solid game for the Erie BayHawks on Wednesday, rookie guard Tyler Dorsey was recalled today by the Hawks, the team announced in a press release. Dorsey, the 41st overall pick in 2017’s draft, recorded 15 points and 11 boards in Erie’s win over Wisconsin yesterday.
  • The Cavaliers have recalled center Ante Zizic to the NBA, according to a press release issued by the club. Zizic poured in 16 points in 16 minutes for the Canton Charge on Wednesday night, helping to lead Cleveland’s G League affiliate to a victory over the Grand Rapids Drive.
  • Sixers guard Furkan Korkmaz is on the move once again, having been assigned to the Delaware 87ers today, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). It’s already the 10th G League assignment of the year for Korkmaz.
  • The Celtics assigned Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader to their G League affiliate, the team announced on Twitter.
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Archie Goodwin Rejoins Hornets’ G League Affiliate

December 14th, 2017 at 7:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Former first-round pick Archie Goodwin is headed back to the G League. The Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate, announced today in a press release that they’ve added Goodwin to their roster as a returning rights player.

The 29th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Goodwin spent the first three years of his NBA career in Phoenix, then played sparingly last season for the Pelicans and Nets. The 23-year-old guard, who has averaged 6.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 165 career NBA games, was in camp with the Trail Blazers this fall, but Portland waived him at the end of the preseason.

Now that he has signed a new G League contract, Goodwin will return to Greensboro, where he spent much of last season. In 2016/17, the former Kentucky Wildcat put up 17.0 PPG and 5.2 RPG in 34 games (32.7 MPG) for Charlotte’s affiliate, which still held his G League rights.

Goodwin parlayed his solid G League performance last season into a pair of 10-day contracts and then a rest-of-season deal with Brooklyn down the stretch. He likely hopes to take a similar path back to the NBA this year — because he’s not on a two-way contract, he’ll be free to sign with any of the 30 NBA teams if he makes a strong impression with the Swarm.

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NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/13/17

December 13th, 2017 at 2:16pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • The Cavaliers have assigned rookie center Ante Zizic to the G League, the team announced today in a press release. Zizic, who has averaged a double-double (15.7 PPG, 10.7 RPG) in three G League games so far this season, will suit up for the Canton Charge on Wednesday night against Grand Rapids.
  • The Magic have recalled rookie big man Khem Birch from the G League, according to the club (Twitter link). In his most recent game with the Lakeland Magic on Tuesday, Birch filled the scoresheet with 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five blocks.
  • Having been recalled from the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, rookie forward Ivan Rabb has been re-assigned by the Grizzlies today, per a team release. He should be active for the Hustle on Wednesday night against the Iowa Wolves.
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And-Ones: Ball Brothers, McDaniels, E. Okafor

December 13th, 2017 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

Lithuanian team Prienu Vytautas made it official this week, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball, and expect Lonzo Ball‘s younger brothers to report to the team in early January. However, it’s not a long-term agreement. As Nicola Lupo details for Sportando, the deal for the two American teenagers includes a team opt-out after the first month, so it could end up being a brief experiment.

Still, Vytautas director Adomas Kubilius admits that he’s intrigued by exposure the Ball brothers will bring to the franchise, not to mention the potential financial benefits (Twitter link via Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas). The club didn’t speak directly with its new players during negotiations, having worked things out with agent Harrison Gaines, but Kubilius suggests that – outside of guaranteed playing time – the Ball brothers didn’t make any major requests (Twitter link via Urbonas). And for what it’s worth, LaVar Ball would also be “warmly welcomed” in Prienai, according to the team (Twitter link).

As we wait to see how LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball adjust to Lithuania, let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world….

  • Veteran swingman K.J. McDaniels has signed a G League contract and been claimed off waivers by the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons‘ affiliate, tweets Chris Reichert of 2 Ways & 10 Days. McDaniels, who spent time with the Nets and Rockets in 2016/17 and was in camp this fall with the Raptors, has averaged 5.3 PPG and 2.2 RPG in 148 total NBA games.
  • Bobby Marks’ latest piece for ESPN Insider is packed with team-by-team details on trade restrictions and notes that will be relevant as the February deadline approaches. Among the info Marks passes along: Which teams can only send or receive limited amounts of cash, which players can veto trades, and which can’t be traded until certain special dates.
  • Sean Deveney of The Sporting News examines the job security for head coaches around the NBA, concluding that Frank Vogel (Magic), Mike Budenholzer (Hawks), Dave Joerger (Kings), and Fred Hoiberg (Bulls) are among those whose seats are hottest.
  • Former second overall pick Emeka Okafor continues to try to make it back to the NBA, with Blake Murphy taking an in-depth look at the big man’s comeback efforts in an excellent piece for Uproxx.com.
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Terrence Jones To Join Warriors’ G League Team

December 13th, 2017 at 9:40am CST by Luke Adams

Former first-round pick Terrence Jones is poised to join the Warriors’ G League affiliate, according to Sam Amick of USA Today. As Amick reports, the Santa Cruz Warriors currently have the top waiver priority, so they intend to snag Jones once the veteran power forward officially signs a G League contract and enters the waiver pool.

The 18th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Jones spent his first four NBA seasons with the Rockets, flashing some potential during his time in Houston before spending last year with the Pelicans and Bucks. Over the course of his five-year NBA career, the former Kentucky Wildcat has posted solid averages of 10.5 PPG and 5.7 RPG in 24.0 minutes per contest (232 games).

Still, the Rockets opted not to re-sign Jones when he was eligible for restricted free agency in 2016, and he was waived by both New Orleans and Milwaukee last season, signaling that his stock had dipped. After failing to find a suitable NBA offer during the 2017 offseason, Jones signed with the Qingdao Eagles, but his stint in the Chinese Basketball Association was short-lived — he was waived by the Eagles last month after being kicked out of a practice.

When he discussed his move to China earlier this year, Jones suggested he was hoping to parlay a strong performance overseas into another NBA opportunity, but that didn’t happen. Now, he’ll look to rebuild his value and earn another shot at the NBA as he prepares to suit up for Santa Cruz.

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