NBA G League Rumors | Hoops Rumors

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 10/28/17

October 28th, 2017 at 11:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

Here are the G League updates from around the league today:

The Heat sent rookie guard Matt Williams to their affiliate in Sioux Falls, tweets Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel.
The Jazz recalled Tony Bradley from the Salt Lake Stars, the team announced on its website. The rookie center hasn’t appeared in a game yet for Utah.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 10/27/17

October 27th, 2017 at 9:03pm CST by Austin Kent

Here are the G League updates from around the league today:

The Grizzlies have assigned center Deyonta Davis and forward Ivan Rabb to the Memphis Hustle, their G League affiliate, the team announced in a press release. Neither Davis nor Rabb saw action with the big league club in the first week of the regular season.
The Jazz sent Tony Bradley to the Salt Lake City Stars, their affiliate team in the G League, the organization revealed in a press release.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 10/26/17

October 26th, 2017 at 7:29pm CST by Austin Kent

Here are the G League moves from around the league today:

The Sixers have recalled Furkan Korkmaz from the Delaware 87ers, the team announced in a press release. They had assigned him to the affiliate just earlier in the day.
The Nets have assigned Isaiah Whitehead to the Long Island Nets, the team announced via press release. Whitehead didn’t see NBA action while recalled with the big league club.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 10/25/17

October 25th, 2017 at 5:35pm CST by Luke Adams

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

5:35pm:

Bryant’s stint with the South Bay Lakers (noted below) was a brief one. He has already been recalled by the Lakers (Twitter link).

5:17pm:

As we detailed earlier today, the Spurs have officially assigned Tony Parker to the G League as part of his rehab process. According to the club, Parker practiced with the Austin Spurs today and will do so again on Friday. The veteran point guard is recovering from surgery on his left quadriceps.
After sending him to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers earlier this week, the Rockets have recalled Troy Williams, the team announced today (Twitter link). Williams may help provide some small forward depth for Houston with Trevor Ariza expected to miss at least the next three games.
The Lakers have assigned rookie big man Thomas Bryant to the G League, according to the team. Bryant, who will join the South Bay Lakers, has yet to make his regular season NBA debut after being drafted 42nd overall this year.

Notable Players On NBA G League Rosters

October 25th, 2017 at 3:07pm CST by Luke Adams

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.

And-Ones: Childress, Coaches, Rautins, Rudez

October 24th, 2017 at 11:31am CST by Luke Adams

After playing in the BIG3 earlier this year and then joining the Nuggets for the preseason, veteran forward Josh Childress has signed a one-year contract with the Adelaide 36ers, the team announced in a press release. It will be the second stint in Australia for the former sixth overall pick, who played for the Sydney Kings from 2014 to 2016.

While Childress hasn’t appeared in a regular season NBA game since December 2013, his new team is excited to add him to its roster and believes he’ll make a major impact.

“It’s great to have such a veteran player on board. Josh is known in the basketball circles as a pros pro,” said Adelaide 36ers head coach Joey Wright. “Who he is and how he operates typifies what we want our program to be about; class and talent.”

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

The NBA went 532 days between head coach firings, from May 7, 2016 (Dave Joerger fired by the Grizzlies) to October 22, 2017 (Earl Watson‘s dismissal by the Suns). That stretch of head coaching stability is virtually unprecedented for the NBA, prompting Marc Stein of The New York Times to take a closer look at why the coaching climate has been so favorable as of late.
After spend time with the Raptors during training camp and the preseason, former Syracuse sharpshooter Andy Rautins is heading back overseas, signing with Turkish team Banvit (English link via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).
Former Magic forward Damjan Rudez, who was waived earlier this month after spending last season in Orlando, is training in his home country with Cibona Zagreb, tweets international basketball reporter David Pick. According to Pick, Rudez is discussing a deal with the Croatian team that would allow him to opt out if an NBA opportunity arises.
Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days lays out a blueprint for how the G League could play a major role if the NBA decides to lower its minimum draft age.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 10/23/17

October 23rd, 2017 at 8:00pm CST by Luke Adams

NBA G League training camps open today, with the start of the 2017/18 season less than two weeks away. With camps getting underway, NBA teams have begun to assign players to their respective affiliates. However, as we detailed earlier this year, four teams are still lacking affiliates.

The Nuggets are one of those teams without an affiliate for 2017/18, which means their two-way players are headed to two different G League clubs. Denver announced today in a press release that Monte Morris will join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets‘ affiliate, while Torrey Craig will play for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat‘s affiliate.

Here are today’s G League assignments:

8:00pm:

After spending the day in the G League, Isaiah Whitehead has been recalled to the Nets, the team announced this evening in a press release.

5:13pm:

The Nuggets have assigned first-round pick Tyler Lydon to the G League too, according to the team. Lydon will head to the Rockets‘ affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, along with Morris.
While the Rockets are adding a pair of Denver players to their G League squad, they’ll also send a couple players from their own NBA roster to the Vipers, announcing today (via Twitter) that Chinanu Onuaku and Troy Williams are G-League-bound.
Despite some minutes becoming available in the Nets‘ backcourt in the wake of Jeremy Lin‘s season-ending injury, second-year guard Isaiah Whitehead hasn’t cracked the rotation. Brooklyn is sending him to the Long Island Nets to get him some playing time, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
The Heat have assigned center A.J. Hammons to the G League, the club announced today in a press release. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said that Hammons is joining the Skyforce to work on his conditioning after he missed time with the flu, tweets Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Isaiah Hartenstein Joins Rockets’ G League Affiliate

October 22nd, 2017 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Isaiah Hartenstein, the Rockets’ lone 2017 draft pick, is among the players listed on the training camp roster for Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Twitter link via Chris Reichert of 2 Ways & 10 Days).

After being selected with the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 draft, Hartenstein didn’t sign an NBA contract, with the Rockets opting not to carry him on their 15-man roster in his rookie season. Instead, it appears Hartenstein signed a straight G League contract, which will allow him to play for the Vipers without the Rockets losing his NBA rights.

The approach is similar to the one the Celtics took with second-round pick Abdel Nader a year ago. Although he wanted to sign an NBA contract, Nader agreed to ink a G League deal and joined the Maine Red Claws, with Boston hanging on to his NBA rights. Nader had an outstanding season for the Red Claws, earning All G League honors, and the C’s rewarded him this summer with a multiyear NBA contract that’s guaranteed for 2017/18.

Hartenstein, who is still just 19, spent most of his teenage years playing overseas in Germany and Lithuania, and was viewed as one of the top international prospects in this year’s draft. The seven-footer remains raw, but is viewed as a versatile big man who is capable of earning an NBA rotation spot in the coming years.

International basketball reporter David Pick first reported back in late July that the Rockets were expected to have Hartenstein play in the G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

G League Notes: Bolomboy, E. Millsap, Tavares

October 20th, 2017 at 3:26pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2017 NBA G League draft will take place on Saturday, and former Jazz forward Joel Bolomboy is expected to be the first overall pick, a source tells Dakota Schmidt of Ridiculous Upside (Twitter link).

Phoenix’s G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns, made a trade earlier today with the Iowa Wolves that saw the Suns acquire the No. 1 overall pick in exchange for the returning rights to Elijah Millsap, among other pieces. However, Schmidt suggests (via Twitter) that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that first overall pick change hands again in the next 24 hours.

Here are a few more G League notes and updates, with a focus on more former NBA players like Bolomboy and Millsap:

Edy Tavares, whose returning rights are held by the Raptors 905, is headed back to the G League after being waived by Cleveland, according to a report from Gigantes (English link via Sportando).
The Rockets‘ G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, sent a first-round pick to the Long Island Nets in exchange for R.J. Hunter‘s returning rights. Hunter, a former first-round pick, intends to suit up for the Vipers, his agent confirms to Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days (Twitter link).
The Long Island Nets acquired the returning rights to Okaro White and Jamaal Franklin in a trade with the Memphis Hustle, according to a press release. White is still on the Heat‘s NBA roster and recently had his 2017/18 salary guaranteed, so Brooklyn’s affiliate seems unlikely to get its hands on him this season.
The Texas Legends, the affiliate of the Mavericks, has acquired Will Bynum‘s returning rights, suggesting the veteran guard could join the organization for the G League season, tweets Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
Cliff Alexander, who was in camp with New Orleans earlier this month, had his returning rights traded to the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks‘ G League affiliate, per a team release. “Cliff is a highly-skilled big man who is among the best in the league at his position,” Herd GM Dave Dean said in a statement. “He has a tremendous upside and we are excited to add him to the Wisconsin Herd family.”

Kendrick Perkins To Join Cavs’ G League Affiliate

October 16th, 2017 at 1:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran center Kendrick Perkins has decided to accept an assignment to the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, the Canton Charge, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). Perkins is taking the same path as fellow vet Emeka Okafor, who will play for the Sixers’ G League affiliate this fall.

Perkins, who will turn 33 next month, was in camp with the Cavaliers and spent the preseason with the team, but was unable to crack the regular season roster. With 16 players on fully guaranteed contracts and another with a partial guarantee, Cleveland had to send veteran forward Richard Jefferson and second-year guard Kay Felder to Atlanta in a salary dump just to get down to 15 players after waiving Perkins and others.

Because he has never played in the G League before, Perkins’ rights aren’t held by one of the league’s 26 clubs. That opens the door for him to become one of Cleveland’s affiliate players for 2017/18. NBA teams can designate up to four players they’ve waived in the preseason as affiliate players, assuming those players sign G League contracts.

Of course, while Perkins may start the season in the G League, his goal will be getting another shot with an NBA team. “I will make a roster,” he tells Jake Fischer of SI.com (Twitter link).

The 13-year veteran has appeared in 781 career regular season games, plus another 143 postseason contests, but didn’t suit up for an NBA club last season. Although Perkins will play for the Cavs’ affiliate in the G League, Cleveland won’t hold his NBA rights, so he’ll be free to sign with any team if he gets an offer.