NBA G League Rumors | Hoops Rumors

And-Ones: I. Austin, Sims, B. Paul, 2017 Draft

December 13th, 2016 at 4:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Baylor standout Isaiah Austin was recently cleared to play basketball again, after having his NBA hopes initially derailed when he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. Still, although Austin is free to sign anywhere, executives are generally taking a “relaxed approach” to his planned comeback, writes Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. Austin was viewed as a borderline first-round prospect back in 2014, and some executives around the NBA are approaching his reported medical clearance with caution.

“What reversed the decision?” one NBA general manager said to Howard-Cooper. “How did it come to be that now he can play? We don’t even know how. Yeah, that’s what I’d be curious about. I’m not saying [Austin found a single doctor willing to clear him], but I’ve seen this before. You can find someone to tell you that you can play. Somebody will.”

As Howard-Cooper details, another GM suggested that teams wouldn’t rush to look into Austin’s situation, but added that those teams may be intrigued: “I’ve never heard anybody (in the NBA) talk about any skepticism on that because I don’t think he’s on people’s radar like that. I don’t think there’s a buzz like, ‘Whoa, now he’s been declared healthy. Is he really healthy?’ I don’t think people are looking at it that way. I think people are more ‘OK, that’s interesting.’ I can see maybe someone trying to do a feel-good story, liking a little bump from a PR standpoint. Maybe someone does a short-term contract with him and brings him in.”

As we wait to see Austin can land a basketball contract, perhaps in the D-League or elsewhere, let’s check in on a few other odds and ends…

The NBA D-League has accepted a buyout of Henry Sims‘ contract, as well as Quincy Douby‘s deal, reports Adam Johnson of D-League Digest (Twitter links). It’s not yet clear what the next step is for either former NBA player, but they may end up heading overseas.
One player heading overseas is swingman Brandon Paul, who was in camp with the Sixers this fall. As Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes, Turkish club Anadolu Efes Istanbul has agreed to a deal with Paul to replace Bryce Cotton on its roster.
In a piece for Basketball Insiders, Michael Scotto takes an early look at next year’s potential draft class, exploring whether we might see three Kentucky freshman come of the board as 2017 lottery picks. As Scotto outlines, Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Edrice Adebayo could become the Wildcats’ third trio since 2010 to achieve that feat.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/13/16

December 13th, 2016 at 1:33pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

The Kings have recalled a pair of rookies, Malachi Richardson and Skal Labissiere, from the D-League, the team announced today (via Twitter). Richardson has been the leading scorer for the Reno Bighorns this year, averaging 21.0 PPG in 11 games, while Labissiere has contributed 14.3 PPG and 6.8 RPG for Sacramento’s D-League affiliate.
The Sixers have assigned first-rounder Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to the Delaware 87ers, according to a press release from the club. He’ll suit up for Philadelphia’s NBADL squad tonight against the Oklahoma City Blue.
Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije will be heading back to the Grand Rapids Drive for the team’s games on Wednesday and Friday, Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy confirmed today (Twitter link via Keith Langlois of Pistons.com). Unlike last time, Stanley Johnson won’t be joining them on this assignment.

Central Notes: Liggins, MCW, Bucks, Stuckey

December 12th, 2016 at 9:47pm CST by Austin Kent

Cavaliers shooting guard DeAndre Liggins has long been heralded as a scrappy, defensive stopper, but a recent stint in Cleveland’s rotation has pushed the 28-year-old journeyman into the spotlight. After winning the D-League Defensive Player of the Year award last season, Liggins has thrived with the defending champions, especially now that he’s seeing more time with the first unit.

“The biggest difference now,” Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue tells ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “[Is that] he’s playing with the starters and now he doesn’t have to handle the ball as much. He doesn’t have to make plays. So now he can just do what he does, and that’s defend, maul people on defense.”

The wing, who models his game after fellow Chicago native Tony Allen played over 20 minutes three times last week while filling in for the injured J.R. Smith. Smith returned to the Cavaliers’ starting lineup on Saturday night, but it appears likely that Liggins will continue to see more action than he had been seeing prior to the opportunity.

You can read more of McMenamin’s in-depth discussion with Liggins – one that touches on his personal history and the domestic assault charges that nearly derailed his career – at ESPN. Here’s more from around the Central:

Fred Hoiberg is uncertain when the Bulls will be able to welcome reserve point guard Michael Carter-Williams back to the lineup, says ESPN’s Nick Friedell. Asked if a return by the end of the month was possible, Hoiberg suggested that the team will have a better idea when the guard removes his soft cast. Out since October 31, Carter-Williams only switched into his soft cast last week.
If the Bucks have decided to locate their recently announced D-League affiliate in nearby Racine, Wisconsin, official word hasn’t yet trickled over to the mayor of the city. As Patrick Leary reports for The Journal Times, the franchise has not made it clear whether or not it will occupy the forthcoming $46MM Racine Event Center and the delay has impacted the publication of a facility financing package. For a while now, the Bucks have been in the process of choosing a location for an affiliate, but the timetable been pushed back on multiple occasions. Other possible Wisconsin locations include Oshkosh and Sheboygan.
Bucks veteran Jason Terry has impressed coaches and opponents around the league, says Chase Hughes of CSN. At 39 years and 85 days old, Terry is the third oldest player in the NBA. Recently Wizards head coach Scott Brooks cited the guard’s willingness to prepare every day and to maintain his body as the keys to his longevity.
The Pacers have several options at the two down the stretch, but recently head coach Nate McMillan has shown a proclivity to role with 10-year veteran Rodney Stuckey instead of starter Monta Ellis. As Nate Taylor writes at the Indy Star, McMillan has played Stuckey with the rest of the starting unit in the final minutes of each of Indiana’s past three games. Taylor reports that it’s Stuckey’s ability to contribute on both ends of the floor that has earned him the extra playing time.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/12/16

December 12th, 2016 at 8:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Monday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

8:20pm:

The Jazz have recalled Joel Bolomboy from the Salt Lake City Stars, the team announced via press release. The second-round pick posted a team-leading 23 points and 12 rebounds with the D-League affiliate on Sunday night. Bolomboy has seen action in seven NBA games so far this season, most recently on November 25.
The Kings have recalled rookie Georgios Papagiannis from the Reno Bighorns, but he isn’t expected to play tonight, reports James Ham via Twitter. The 13th overall pick has averaged 10.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game across six contests with the Sacramento affiliate but has seen just one game of NBA action on the year.
In addition to recalling Bembry (noted below), the Hawks have assigned forward Mike Scott to the affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, marking his second D-League stint since returning from a knee injury, Vivlamore writes for the AJC.

1:46pm:

The Hawks have recalled DeAndre’ Bembry from the D-League, tweets Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars on Saturday, Bembry scored 19 points for Utah’s affiliate on Sunday.
The Pacers have recalled Georges Niang from their D-League affiliate, the team announced today in a press release. Niang, a 2016 second-round pick, played in three games with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during his NBADL assignment. His most impressive game came on Saturday, when he recorded 22 points, six boards, and six assists in a win over the Texas Legends.

Austin Kent contributed to this post.

D-League To Try Larger Officiating Crews

December 12th, 2016 at 7:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

NBA coaches have a mixed reaction to a planned D-League experiment involving larger officiating crews. The league will try four and sometimes five officials at games starting later this month, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

The larger crews will make their debut December 26th and will be used in nine games, all hosted by the Long Island Nets. There will be five games with four officials, then four games with five officials starting January 12th.

“We are confident in how our three-person system works and are constantly thinking of ways to improve our game,” said Bob Delaney, the NBA’s Vice President for Referee Operations and Director of Officials. “The four- and five-referee initiative is a prime example of that focus and will help the NBA with research and development.”

The NBA switched from a two-person to a three-person crew for the 1988/89 season and has remained that way ever since, although a four-person crew was tried during this year’s summer league in Salt Lake City.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says the NBA needs more accountability, not more referees, to solve its problems with officiating, according to Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.

“It seems like now, more and more, that it’s somebody else’s call, or somebody else’s eyes that are supposed to be on that, and it’s a lot more gray area,” Spoelstra said. “It’s very confusing to all of us. It must be incredibly stressful and confusing for the officials.”

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle supports the idea of larger crews, telling Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com, “It’s needed.” (Twitter link)

The league should do whatever it takes to get the best officiated game possible, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters before tonight’s contest (Twitter link).

“If it takes four or five to make a better product, so be it,” D’Antoni said. “More guys will have work. … The league will take a look at it and whatever betters our product, they’ll try to do it.

Wizards coach Scott Brooks said he never considered the idea of more officials, but thought of one added benefit.

“It’ll just give me a couple extra guys to yell at,” he said. “That’ll be great. I like it. I’m tired of just yelling at three.”

And-Ones: RFAs, CBA, Magic, Rockets, A. Brown

December 12th, 2016 at 2:29pm CST by Luke Adams

Donatas Motiejunas‘ long restricted free agency saga is the latest example of the limitations the system imposes on players’ freedom and flexibility. However, while the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement is expected to include some small tweaks to that system, most people in the know don’t expect it to help RFAs significantly, writes David Aldridge of NBA.com. “Any changes made will be minimally helpful to players, at best,” one prominent agent tells Aldridge.

Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the NBA…

Speaking of that new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s still optimism that the NBA and the players’ union can work out a deal soon, despite Carmelo Anthony‘s skepticism. According to an Associated Press report, most major aspects of the deal have been addressed and agreed upon, so the two sides remain at odds over secondary issues. If they can’t strike a deal by Thursday, the December 15 opt-out deadline could be extended. If one side does opt out, the league and NBPA would still have until next July to work out a new agreement to avoid a lockout for 2017/18.
J. Michael of CSNMidAtlantic.com believes the Magic and Rockets could be logical trade partners at some point this season, since Houston’s roster is heavy on scorers and Orlando’s is heavy on defensive stoppers.
After being waived last week by the Pelicans, former Lakers second-rounder Anthony Brown has rejoined the Erie BayHawks (Twitter link via Chris Reichert of The Step Back). The BayHawks – Orlando’s D-League affiliate – held Brown’s NBADL rights before he signed with New Orleans.

Northwest Notes: Thunder, Rubio, Wolves, Jazz

December 12th, 2016 at 10:27am CST by Luke Adams

Not every NBA team has a D-League affiliate, and the 22 teams that do have their own NBADL squads use those affiliates in a variety of ways. Perhaps no NBA club has been more creative than the Thunder when it comes to making use of the D-League, writes Chris Reichert of The Step Back. As Reichert details, Oklahoma City has made a habit out using second-round picks – or even late first-round picks – to draft players who will be amenable to playing for the OKC Blue.

While those players accept modest salaries by agreeing to play on D-League contracts rather than overseas, the Thunder have shown that they’re willing to reward that loyalty down the road, with players like Josh Huestis and Semaj Christon now having earned spots on the team’s 15-man NBA roster. Dakari Johnson, the 48th overall pick in 2015, and Daniel Hamilton, this year’s No. 56 pick, are among the current OKC Blue players seeking an eventual call-up to the Thunder.

Here’s more from around the Northwest division:

The Timberwolves are tied for the second-worst record in the NBA, and Ricky Rubio isn’t happy with the team’s effort, telling reporters after a recent loss to Detroit that played with no “heart” or “desire.” Rubio, who is considered a possible trade candidate, said over the summer that he wants to play with a winning team, expressing optimism at that time that the Wolves could turn into a winner. That certainly hasn’t happened early on in the 2016/17 campaign.
Timberwolves head coach and team president Tom Thibodeau is still getting accustomed to his dual role in Minnesota, telling Rod Beard of The Detroit News that he has looked at Stan Van Gundy in Detroit as a model for how to handle and delegate those responsibilities.
The Jazz have spent several years rebuilding their roster, and are starting to come into their own, but with so many players eligible for extensions or nearing free agency, the team could soon face a turning point, writes Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. We recently took a closer look at Utah’s extension candidates in a Community Shootaround discussion.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/11/16

December 11th, 2016 at 10:45pm CST by Will Joseph

Here are Sunday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

Jazz forward Joel Bolomboy was assigned to the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s D-League affilitate, the team announced via its website. This marks the fourth assignment this season for Bolomboy.
The Pistons recalled forwards Stanley Johnson and Henry Ellenson and guard Michael Gbinije from the team’s D-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive, Detroit announced in a press release. That was Johnson’s first D-League stint and it lasted one day.
The Bulls announced via press release that guard R.J. Hunter was recalled from the Windy City Bulls.
The Lakers recalled Ivica Zubac from their D-League affiliate, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.

NBA D-League Assignments/Recalls: 12/10/16

December 10th, 2016 at 10:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Saturday’s D-League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

10:59pm:

The Magic have recalled center Stephen Zimmerman from their Erie affiliate, the team posted on its website. Zimmerman spent four games with Erie, averaging 21.8 points and 15.5 rebounds per game. He has appeared in two games with Orlando.

3:05pm:

The Pistons have assigned Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson, and Michael Gbinije to the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. Ellenson and Gbinije have already spent some time in Grand Rapids this season, but it’ll be Johnson’s first D-League stint of the season. According to Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), the 2015 eighth overall pick discussed the move with Stan Van Gundy, and will return to the Pistons after playing tonight with the Drive.
Jerian Grant and Paul Zipser have been recalled from the D-League by the Bulls, the club announced in a press release. Both players contributed to the Windy City Bulls’ victory over Canton on Friday night, with Grant making the game-winning shot. R.J. Hunter remains on assignment with the club.
The Hawks don’t have their own D-League affiliate, but they’ve assigned DeAndre’ Bembry back to the Salt Lake City Stars, per Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. In a one-game stint with the Stars earlier this season, Bembry poured in 16 of 22 shots and racked up 35 points.
A day after being assigned to the D-League to practice with the Salt Lake City Stars, Joel Bolomboy has been recalled by the Jazz, according to a team release.
The Lakers have sent rookie big man Ivica Zubac back to the D-League, tweets Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News. Zubac will suit up tonight for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in their game against Austin.

Ferrell Clears Waivers, Returns To D-League

December 10th, 2016 at 7:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Rookie point guard Yogi Ferrell, who was released by the Nets on Thursday, has cleared waivers and rejoined the team’s D-League affiliate in Long Island, tweets Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders.

The Nets also waived Ferrell during the preseason, but re-signed him November 9th after a rash of injuries at point guard. He appeared in 10 games during his month in Brooklyn, all as a reserve, and averaged 5.4 points and 1.7 assists in 15.1 minutes per night. He played two games for Long Island earlier this season.

Ferrell’s contract with the Nets was a two-year deal at minimum salary with just $100K guaranteed before January 10th. The second season was non-guaranteed.