NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 3/3/19
Here are Sunday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:
- The Nuggets assigned power forward Tyler Lydon to Washington’s affiliate, the Capital City Go Go, Adam Johnson of 2Ways10Days tweets. The 2017 first-rounder has appeared in just 24 NBA games this season, averaging 3.8 MPG.
- The Hornets recalled forward Dwayne Bacon and guard Devonte’ Graham from the Greensboro Swarm, the team’s PR department tweets. Neither player saw action in Charlotte’s loss to Portland on Sunday. Graham had 21 points and seven rebounds against the Long Island Nets on Saturday.
- The Thunder assigned and then recalled guard Hamidou Diallo from the Oklahoma City Blue, according to team press releases. Diallo supplied 21 points and seven rebounds in the Blue’s win over Northern Arizona on Sunday. Diallo has appeared in 46 games for the Thunder, averaging 4.1 PPG in 11.2 MPG.
Timberwolves Sign Cam Reynolds To 10-Day Deal
FEBRUARY 27: The Timberwolves have officially signed Reynolds to a 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release. The deal will run through next Friday (March 8).
FEBRUARY 25: The Timberwolves are signing swingman Cameron Reynolds of the G League’s Stockton Kings to a 10-day contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
Reynolds provides depth with Robert Covington currently sidelined by a knee injury.
Reynolds, 24, was undrafted last year out of Tulane. He’s averaging 16.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 1.2 APG in 28.0 MPG over 33 G League games. He’s shooting 41.9% from 3-point range.
Reynolds was also named this month to the USA Basketball Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team.
In 135 college games with Tulane, Reynolds averaging 10.1 PPG and 4.5 RPG. He was waived in October after getting invited to the Kings’ training camp and also played for their summer league team.
Southeast Notes: Satoransky, Sibert, Clifford, McRae
Wizards point guard Tomas Satoransky has become a starter due to John Wall‘s injuries but he still envisions returning to Spain later in his career, as he told ACB.com in a story relayed by Sportando. Satoransky played for two Spanish teams before joining the NBA.
“I have a lot of goals to accomplish in the NBA, but I always think that I would love to return to Spain,” the Wizards guard said. “I grew up there, I love the people and Spanish basketball. I love Spanish life and, one day, I would love to return to Liga Endesa (the Spanish league).”
We have more from around the Southeast Division:
- Shooting guard Jordan Sibert always believed he’d get an NBA contract, as he told Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Sibert, who went undrafted out of Dayton in 2015, finally got his chance when the Hawks offered a 10-day deal last week. He played in Greece and Germany along with the G League the last few years before Atlanta came calling. “I believed that I was talented to get it done,” Sibert said. “I just wanted to work every day, and if it happened, it happened. I get on my knees every day, and I thank God just for my daily blessings. This is just another one that I am thankful for.”
- Magic coach Steve Clifford follows the coaching philosophy of former Pistons coach and executive Stan Van Gundy, according to John Denton of the team’s website. Clifford was an assistant when Van Gundy was head coach in Orlando. “Stan used to say, and we do this all the time, ‘We prepare for every game like it’s a playoff game.’ We go over 10 plays every game, while a lot of teams wait until the playoffs,” Clifford said. “Sometimes people want to say, ‘It’s a big game,’ but you prepare to play important games in September. … That’s the approach we’ve had all the way through.”
- Wizards guard Jordan McRae is nearing the end of his 45-day NBA clock as a two-way player and he’s likely to spend more time in the G League to avoid reaching the limit, as Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington explains. The franchise would risk losing him or be forced to sign him to a standard contract if he doesn’t spend most of the next four weeks with the Capital City Go Go, Hughes continues. The team wants to retain McRae but it’s barely under the luxury tax threshold and doesn’t want to go over it by converting McRae’s contract, Hughes adds.
And-Ones: Cuban, Draft, Maledon, 2K League
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doesn’t mind lowering the minimum draft age from 19 to 18, but points out that it creates another set of issues, as he explained to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
Cuban notes that most players out of high school don’t have general life skills, such as writing a check or signing a lease. He also sees the influence of AAU coaches and teams becoming even more pervasive if the age minimum drops.
“The really bad unintended consequence is you’re going to see AAU programs and parents push harder to get kids featured, maybe at the expense of their education, maybe at the expense of really learning how to play basketball because they’ve got coaches that are telling him, ‘Yeah, he’s got a chance to be a ‘none-and-done,'” Cuban said.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- League executives are already dreading the extra time, money, and analysis it will take to scout high school prospects, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer writes in a lengthy piece on the pros and cons of reducing the draft age minimum to 18. Eliminating the one-and-done prospects could make it tougher for lottery teams to land a marquee player, since there will likely be more steals and more busts in the draft. A system that would allow players to be selected in the draft without losing college eligibility could help the process, O’Connor adds.
- French point guard Theo Maledon, a Tony Parker protege, could be the top international prospect in the 2020 draft. ESPN’s Mike Schmitz takes a closer look at next year’s international group and notes that the 17-year-old Maledon is now the starting point guard for ASVEL, the club Parker oversees as president. ASVEL is the first-place team among 18 in France’s top league. Maledon could become the second-ever 18-year-old EuroLeague starter, following in the footsteps of Luka Doncic, when ASVEL moves up to the prestigious league next season, Schmitz adds.
- The NBA 2K League will begin its 18-week season on April 2 and conclude with the Finals on August 3, according to a league press release. All regular-season games will take place at the NBA 2K League Studio in Long Island City, New York, and will be live-streamed on Twitch.
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 2/25/19
Here are Monday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:
- The Jazz assigned rookie first-round pick Grayson Allen to the Salt Lake City Stars, the team’s PR department tweets. Allen has appeared in six Stars games, averaging 15.7 PPG in 30.6 MPG. The former Duke star is averaging 4.1 PPG in 9.9 MPG with Utah.
- The Pacers recalled forward Alize Johnson from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, according to a team press release. Johnson is averaging 19.2 PPG and 13.6 RPG in 36.9 MPG through 25 games with the Mad Ants.
- The Grizzlies assigned rookie guard Jevon Carter to the Memphis Hustle to get in a practice but recalled him prior to their game against the Lakers on Monday, the team’s PR department tweets. The second-round pick is averaging 2.8 PPG and 1.7 APG in 14.8 MPG over 26 games with the Grizzlies.
- The Nets recalled rookie forward Dzanan Musa from the Long Island Nets in time for their game against the Spurs on Monday, Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweets. Musa is averaging 19.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG in 31.3 MPG through 25 games with the G League affiliate.
- The Rockets recalled guard Chris Chiozza from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors tweets. Chiozza signed a 10-day contract with the team last week.
- The Hornets recalled forward Dwayne Bacon and guard Devonte’ Graham from the Greensboro Swarm, according to a team press release. Bacon has appeared in 14 games for the Swarm, averaging 20.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG in 31.7 MPG. Graham has appeared in 10 games for the Swarm, averaging 23.8 PPG and 4.8 APG in 33.8 MPG.
- The Warriors assigned rookie guard Jacob Evans III to Santa Cruz, according to a team press release. The first-round pick has appeared in 23 games with Golden State this season and 16 games (11 starts) with Santa Cruz. He’s averaging 11.8 PPG and 2.4 APG in 26.5 minutes per game.
Bucks Sign Isaiah Canaan To 10-Day Deal
The Bucks have signed guard Isaiah Canaan to a 10-day contract, according to a team press release.
Canaan, has played in a combined 26 games with the Suns and Timberwolves this season, averaging 6.7 PPG and 3.1 APG in 23.0 MPG. Minnesota inked to a pair of 10-day deals to combat backcourt injuries but decided not to offer him a standard contract once those guards got healthy.
The Suns waived him in late November even though he had started 15 games. Canaan was working with a non-guaranteed contract after re-signing with them during the offseason.
Milwaukee was in the market for veteran help with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sterling Brown, Donte DiVincenzo and George Hill dealing with short-term injuries.
Free Agent Stock Watch 2019: Southwest Division
Every week, Hoops Rumors takes a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents next offseason. We examine if their stock is rising or falling due to performance and other factors. This week, we turn our attention to the Southwest Division:
Maxi Kleber, 27, Mavericks, PF (Up) – Signed to a two-year, $2.19MM deal in 2017
Kleber has received increased playing time since the blockbuster Kristaps Porzingis deal with the Knicks. He’s averaging 10.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG in 25.7 MPG as a starter this month while making 36% of his 3-point attempts. Kleber would be a restricted free agent if Dallas extends a $1.82MM qualifying offer. With loads of cap space to spare, the Mavs have plenty of incentive to make that modest offer for a rotation player, even though he’d probably move back to the bench next season when Porzingis is ready to play again.
Kenneth Faried, Rockets, 29, PF (Up) – Signed to a one-year, $917K deal in 2019
Clint Capela‘s return from a thumb injury this week will reduce the Manimal’s minutes. He’ll still play a valuable role for Houston, where he has revived his career after getting bought out by Brooklyn. After appearing in just 12 games with the Nets, Faried has averaged 15.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 1.0 BPG in 13 outings with the Rockets. It seems Faried has been in the league a long time, but he’s still just 29. In an era of stretch fours and fives, it’s questionable whether anyone views Faried as a starter going forward. He should still get a multi-year deal somewhere as a second-unit difference maker.
Justin Holiday, Grizzlies, 29, SF (Down) – Signed to a two-year, $9MM deal in 2017
Holiday was acquired from the Bulls when the Grizzlies still harbored hopes of making the playoffs. He didn’t move the needle at all before Memphis went into sell mode prior to the trade deadline. He’s averaged 8.2 PPG on 34.8% shooting (29.8% on 3-point tries) in 28.5 MPG with the Grizzlies. Holiday has posted below average PERs throughout his career, which doesn’t help his cause in the analytics era. Holiday has enough of a resume to land on someone’s bench next season but his days as a starter are likely over after this season.
Elfrid Payton, Pelicans, 25, PG (Down) — Signed to a one-year, $3MM deal in 2018
Payton inked a short-term, ‘show me’ contract after the former lottery pick flopped in Orlando and Phoenix. He was given the opportunity to replace free agent Rajon Rondo in the lineup but has spent a majority of the season in the trainer’s room. He’s appeared in just 19 games, with a right ankle sprain sidelining him for the last nine games heading into Friday’s action. The Pelicans lost six of the last eight games that he played. Payton will probably have to settle for another one-year deal this summer, this time in a backup role.
Dante Cunningham, Spurs, 31, SF (Down)– Signed to a one-year, $2.49MM deal in 2018
Cunningham has seen spot duty with the Spurs, averaging 15.9 MPG in 53 appearances. He’s managed to stay in the league for a decade, though he’s usually the No. 5 option at the offensive end. He accepts his limited role and provides some defense, so it’s possible he’ll squeeze out another veteran’s minimum deal with San Antonio or another playoff contender. But being on the wrong side of 30 means he’ll probably have to wait until late in the free agency period for an offer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Sidelined By Quad Injury
Grizzlies rookie power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has suffered a right quad injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Jackson, the fourth overall pick in the draft out of Michigan State, has produced an impressive rookie campaign during an otherwise bleak season in Memphis. He’s averaging 13.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 1.4 BPG in 26.1 MPG while playing in 58 games, including 56 starts.
The 6’11” Jackson is shooting 50.6% from the field and 35.9% from long range. He scored a season-high 36 points against Brooklyn on November 30.
The Grizzlies will be cautious with their budding franchise player, Wojnarowski adds. That’s no surprise, as Memphis waved the white flag on a playoff push when it put veteran center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley on the trading block. Gasol was dealt to Toronto but the Grizzlies couldn’t find a palatable trade offer for Conley.
Community Shootaround: Lakers’ Playoff Hopes
LeBron James finds himself in a very unusual place — on the outside looking in at a playoff berth.
James’ streak as an annual presence in the NBA Finals was bound to end when he signed with the Lakers last summer. He realized at the time he’d need at least one more superstar to make the storied franchise the Best of the West again. But there was a general sense that any team led by James would at least reach the postseason.
James told reporters after returning from the All-Star break that he’ll go all out to prevent the embarrassment of missing the playoffs.
“It’s been activated,” James said of his playoff mindset. “My level of intensity has to be [high], unfortunately for me, because I don’t like to do it at such an early time. But it’s been activated.”
The Lakers returned to the .500 mark with a comeback victory over the Rockets on Thursday night but they have plenty of work to do to secure a playoff berth. They currently have the 10th-best record in the West and trail the Clippers by 2 1/2 games for the final spot.
The Jazz and Spurs are just one game ahead of the Clippers.
The Lakers will also have to leapfrog the young and much improved Kings, who hold a one-game edge. The Clippers’ decision to trade away leading scorer and impending free agent Tobias Harris helps the Lakers. But the way super sixth man Lou Williams is playing, coupled with some impressive young talent, the Clippers aren’t guaranteed to fade away.
The internal turmoil caused by the Lakers’ quest to secure Anthony Davis before the trade deadline made for some uneasiness in the locker room. Many of their young players must wonder how long they’ll last in L.A.
Yet if James doesn’t have any setbacks from the groin injury that cost him over a month of action, there’s reason for optimism that the Lakers will move into the top eight in the West.
That leads us to our question of the day: Will the Lakers make the playoffs? If so, will they wind up with the No. 8 seed or finish higher than that?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
G League Assignments/Recalls: 2/22/19
Here are Friday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:
- In a rare move by an NBA veteran, Sixers big man Amir Johnson was granted a request to play for the Delaware Blue Coats on Friday in order to get some playing time, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia will recall Johnson in time for its game against Portland on Saturday. Johnson was in the rotation earlier in the season but hasn’t seen the court since January 26.
- The Magic assigned rookie guard Melvin Frazier Jr. to Lakeland, the team’s PR department tweets. The second-round pick appeared in Orlando’s last four games before the All-Star break but didn’t go longer than five minutes.
- The Spurs assigned first-round pick Lonnie Walker IV to the Austin Spurs, according to a team press release. Walker IV has seen action in 20 games with Austin, averaging 16.2 PPG in 27.3 MPG. He’s played in six games with San Antonio.
- The Hornets assigned forward Dwayne Bacon and rookie guard Devonte’ Graham to the Greensboro Swarm, according to a team press release. Bacon has played in 25 NBA games this season and 12 more with the Swarm. He’s averaging 20.4 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 32.4 MPG at the G League level. Graham has seen action in 31 games with the Hornets and eight with the Swarm. He’s averaging 21.3 PPG and 5.0 APG in 33.1 MPG for Greensboro.
- The Pacers assigned rookie forward Alize Johnson to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, according to a team press release. The second-round pick has played 11 NBA games this season. He’s averaging 19.2 PPG and 13.6 RPG in 36.9 MPG over 25 games with Fort Wayne.
- The Heat recalled forward Emanuel Terry from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, according to a team press release. Miami signed Terry, who has averaged 15.3 PPG and 8.9 RPG in 10 games with the Skyforce, to a 10-day contract on Wednesday.