D-League Notes: Lakers, Warriors, Curry
Let’s round up today’s D-League updates, including a pair of assignments and a pair of recalls out of the Pacific….
- Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris have been re-assigned to the D-League by the Lakers, according to the Los Angeles D-Fenders (Twitter link). It’s already the third assignment of the season for both players, so it looks like they’ll be shuttled back and forth throughout the year.
- The Warriors have recalled Dewayne Dedmon and Nemanja Nedovic from the D-League, the team announced today in a press release. The duo helped lead the Santa Cruz Warriors to a victory last night, combining for 54 points.
- Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group checks in on Seth Curry‘s development with the Warriors‘ D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz.
Minor Moves: Warriors, Douby, Fischer
A look at today’s minor moves from around basketball..
- The Warriors announced that they re-assigned center Dewayne Dedmon and guard Nemanja Nedovic to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League. Both players will be in uniform for tonight’s home game against the Austin Toros this evening. To keep up with all of this season’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
- Quincy Douby reached agreement with the Yao Ming-owned Shanghai Sharks, a source told Shams Charania of RealGM. Douby is free to sign with an NBA club once the CBA season ends in March, but Shanghai’s squad is rather strong with Douby in the fold and he could be locked in with them longer if they make a deep playoff run. The Rutgers product was previously with the Sioux Falls SkyForce, the affiliate of the Heat, and was being groomed as a point guard.
- German team Brose Baskets Bamberg officially announced the signing of D’or Fischer, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The big man spent last season with BC Donetsk of Ukraine averaging 11.0 PPG and 7.6 RPG in Superleague action and was in camp with the Wizards over the summer.
D-League Players With NBA Experience
The 2013/14 NBA D-League season got underway last night with 14 teams in action, and the remaining three clubs, including the defending champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers, start their seasons tonight.
Last year’s best teams, like the Vipers, Santa Cruz Warriors, Austin Toros, and Tulsa 66ers, benefited from their NBA affiliates (the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs, and Thunder, respectively) assigning young talent to the D-League. But D-League rosters are made up primarily of a mix of youngsters and veterans whose rights aren’t currently held by any NBA team.
It’s fairly safe to assume that all those D-League players are hoping for a call-up to the NBA, but not all of them are seeking their first shot at basketball’s biggest stage. Many players currently on D-League rosters have previous NBA experience, and are hoping to get a second (or third or fourth) chance.
Now that D-League squads have made their training camp cuts and begun their respective seasons, their opening night rosters have been finalized. So let’s take a look around the league at D-Leaguers who have previous NBA experience. This list doesn’t include NBA players currently on assignment, and only features players who have appeared in at least one NBA regular season game — so we’re not including training camp invitees, or players who were signed but didn’t see the floor.
Here’s the full list, with the player’s most recent NBA stint in parentheses:
Austin Toros:
- Eric Dawson (Spurs, 2011/12)
- Josh Howard (Timberwolves, 2012/13)
- Flip Murray (Bulls, 2009/10)
Bakersfield Jam:
- None
Canton Charge:
- Robert Hite (Heat, 2006/07)
- Kevin Jones (Cavaliers, 2012/13)
Delaware 87ers:
- None
Erie BayHawks:
- Ricky Davis (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Mustafa Shakur (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jeremy Tyler (Hawks, 2012/13)
Fort Wayne Mad Ants:
- Chris Hunter (Warriors, 2009/10)
- Chris Porter (Warriors, 2000/01)
Idaho Stampede:
- None
Iowa Energy:
- Othyus Jeffers (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jarvis Varnado (Heat, 2012/13)
Los Angeles D-Fenders:
- Jamario Moon (Bobcats, 2011/12)
- Kareem Rush (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Malcolm Thomas (Bulls, 2012/13)
Maine Red Claws:
- Jermaine Taylor (Kings, 2010/11)
- Chris Wright (Warriors, 2011/12)
Reno Bighorns:
- DeQuan Jones (Magic, 2012/13)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers:
- Chris Johnson (Grizzlies, 2012/13)
- James Johnson (Kings, 2012/13)
Santa Cruz Warriors:¹
- Joe Alexander (Bulls, 2009/10)
- Hilton Armstrong (Hawks, 2010/11)
- Maurice Baker (Trail Blazers, 2004/05)
- Taylor Griffin (Suns, 2009/10)
- Mychel Thompson (Cavaliers, 2011/12)
Sioux Falls Skyforce:
- Quincy Douby (Raptors, 2008/09)
- DeAndre Liggins (Thunder, 2012/13)
- Bill Walker (Knicks, 2011/12)
Springfield Armor:
- JamesOn Curry (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Jeff Foote (Pelicans, 2011/12)
- Gary Forbes (Raptors, 2011/12)
- Dennis Horner (Nets, 2011/12)
Texas Legends:
- Chris Douglas-Roberts (Mavericks, 2012/13)
- Devin Ebanks (Lakers, 2012/13)
- Melvin Ely (Nuggets, 2010/11)
- Terrel Harris (Pelicans, 2012/13)
- Sean Singletary (Bobcats, 2008/09)
Tulsa 66ers:
- Larry Owens (Nets, 2011/12)
- Ben Uzoh (Raptors, 2011/12)
¹ Santa Cruz announced the signing of Armstrong today, so it’s not clear yet if one of the other players on their list was waived to make room.
Western Notes: Gasol, Nowitzki, Armstrong
The Grizzlies aren’t releasing a timetable for the return of Marc Gasol, who’s out indefinitely with a sprained MCL in his left knee, as the team announced today. That hasn’t stopped reporters from speculating about how long Memphis will be without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and the consensus seems to suggest he’ll miss at least six weeks. The injury is a blow to the Grizzlies, though there’s no talk of the team looking for reinforcements yet. This summer’s trade for Kosta Koufos, who started at center for the 57-win Nuggets last year, could be about to pay dividends. Here’s more from the West:
- Derrick Rose‘s diagnosis is the big injury news of the day, but Western stars, including Gasol, are being plagued with their share of physical ailments as well. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports that James Harden of the Rockets is expected to miss at least the next two games with a foot injury, while the Warriors announced that Andre Iguodala is out indefinitely with a strained hamstring. I doubt either injury will result in a roster move.
- Jeff Caplan of NBA.com doesn’t put much stock in Mavs owner Mark Cuban’s revelation that Rockets GM Daryl Morey asked him this summer if he’d trade Dirk Nowitzki. The scribe notes that Cuban has vowed he’ll never trade the former MVP and that Nowitzki has said he plans to re-sign with Dallas next summer. About 70% of Hoops Rumors readers agree that the Mavs shouldn’t even think about trading their star.
- According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link), the Santa Cruz Warriors announced that they’ve re-added former NBA veteran Hilton Armstrong to their roster. The big man played for Golden State’s D-League affiliate last season, so Santa Cruz still held his rights.
- We looked back at the offseasons for a pair of Western Conference teams today, covering the Kings and the Jazz. You can find all the Offseason in Review pieces we’ve done so far on this page.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Lakers Notes: Nash, Kelly, Harris, Young
As we heard yesterday, Steve Nash denied having considered the possibility of retirement, telling reporters that he still has “18 months” of basketball left, referring to the last two years on his contract. Nash also told Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles that he’s “inching forward” in his physical therapy and rehab, and Mike D’Antoni suggests that the veteran point guard could return to practice during the first week of December. Here’s more on the 39-year-old and his Lakers teammates:
- Nash recognizes that speculation about his retirement is inevitable at this point of his career, as he tells McMenamin: “I’m 40 in a couple of months. I think people look at the success I’ve had in my career and they wonder if I still have the motivation just to get on the court. But I do. The perspective is that I’ve only got a short window of basketball left in my life. I want to try to get in as much hoops as I can before it’s time to do something else.”
- The Lakers have assigned Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris to their D-League affiliate, as Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv notes via Twitter. The team had just recalled the rookies on Thursday after initially sending them down last week. Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times expects the Lakers will bring them back to the big club in advance of Sunday’s game.
- The Lakers signed Nick Young this summer to a minimum-salary contract, and he’s proved a bargain so far, having entered Friday with the fourth-highest scoring average among reserves this season, as McMenamin examines.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
D-League Notes: Kelly, Harris, Heat, Expansion
The D-League’s regular season is underway, and the D-League website features a list of young prospects to follow during the 2013/14 season. Some of the young players on the list currently have their rights held by NBA squads, but many are training camp invitees that didn’t make an opening night roster. There’s no telling when the next Jeremy Lin might unexpectedly emerge so it’s definitely worth monitoring the young talent found in the NBA’s official minor league organization.
Here’s some D-League news and notes from Thursday night:
- Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com tweets that the Lakers have recalled Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris from their D-League affiliate, the D-Fenders. Neither have seen much NBA action yet this year, and Eric Pincus of the LA Times tweets that their recall is probably just a formality.
- Ira Winderman points out (via Twitter) that the D-League affiliate for the Heat is sporting a particularly impressive roster. Although the Heat do not own their rights, it’s worth noting that Miami’s developmental squad houses three former NBA players: Bill Walker, DeAndre Liggins, and Quincy Douby.
- Dan Reed, president of the D-League, envisions his circuit expanding into a 30 team organization where each NBA club has it’s own minor league affiliate. Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports sat down with Reed, who appears confident that his vision will one day become a reality: “If you had asked me this three or four years ago, I would have said it will be a very long time horizon. If you ask me now, that time frame has shortened substantially.” Reed has been the president of the D-League since 2007.
- To keep up with all the D-League assignments and recalls throughout the year, be sure to check out Hoops Rumors 2013/14 D-League Assignments page.
Pacific Notes: Kings, Cousins, McCallum
A quick look at the Pacific Division..
- It is clear that the Kings are trying to build their future around DeMarcus Cousins and rookie Ben McLemore, but beyond that, the right deal might pry loose almost anyone else on the roster, writes Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. It has been reported that Sacramento is “aggressively” pursuing a trade early on in the season.
- Speaking of the Kings, they announced this afternoon that they have assigned Ray McCallum to the D-League’s Reno Bighorns. McCallum, the 36th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, has not seen action in the Kings’ eleven games this season. He averaged 3.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.20 steals and 12.2 minutes per game in five games off the bench for the Kings in the preseason. The move reunites him with former Kings training camp players Brandon Heath, DeQuan Jones, and Trent Lockett.
- The Warriors recalled Nemanja Nedovic, Ognjen Kuzmic, and the newly signed Dewayne Dedmon in advance of last night’s game against the Grizzlies, the team announced. In last night’s 88-81 loss, Kuzmic was the only one of the three to see playing time. To keep tabs on this year’s D-League assignments, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list for 2013/14.
Odds & Ends: Price, Bennett, Warriors
The Knicks and Celtics were among the losing teams on a five-game Tuesday in the NBA, and while those clubs fall farther beneath .500, it sounds like they’re thinking about helping each other out via trade, as Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling detailed tonight. Zwerling has a ton of news from New York and Boston, as well as a couple other NBA teams, in the piece we linked to earlier tonight, and there are still more noteworthy items as a busier-than-usual November continues:
- A.J. Price tells Michael Lee of the Washington Post that the Wizards never made contact with him while he was a free agent this offseason (Twitter link). The point guard had been confident he’d return to the Wizards, according to Lee, but Price signed with the Timberwolves instead.
- Jim Ingraham of The News-Herald worries that the Cavs‘ selection of Anthony Bennett first overall is on its way to becoming a “colossal, franchise-rattling whiff” and believes Cleveland should send Bennett on a D-League assignment.
- Cavs coach Mike Brown remains confident that Bennett will hit his stride in time, observes fellow News-Herald scribe Bob Finnan.
- The Warriors assigned Nemanja Nedovic, Ognjen Kuzmic and the newly signed Dewayne Dedmon to their D-League affiliate today, the team announced.
Atlantic Notes: Chris Smith, Raptors, C’s
Let’s check out a few of the latest items from out of the Atlantic Division….
- The Knicks have assigned Chris Smith to the D-League, the team announced today (Twitter link). The regular season is set to get underway for the Erie BayHawks later this week, so Smith should get a chance to earn the minutes he wasn’t seeing in New York.
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun believes the Raptors, as constructed, could be a playoff team in the East this season. However, Wolstat doesn’t endorse building around the current core long-term, suggesting that the pieces don’t really fit together. Wolstat adds (via Twitter) that what should be done with the roster and what can be done are two different things, since teams aren’t exactly “beating down [the] doors” to trade for Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, or Kyle Lowry.
- The Celtics‘ offseason roster moves have forced Jeff Green into a more prominent role, but he may be miscast as a focal point of the offense, observes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- Earlier today, we rounded up several Knicks rumors and passed along Danny Ainge‘s comments on Rajon Rondo trade rumors.
Eastern Links: Cavs, Nets, Bobcats, Wallace
A 3-7 record is not what the Cavaliers had in mind for a season in which they’re facing owner Dan Gilbert’s mandate to make the playoffs, and the frustration is boiling up to the surface. Cavs players had a heated exchange during a players-only meeting Wednesday, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, and Dion Waiters was one of those involved, as Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio tweets. It remains to be seen whether the discord will result in a roster move, but Cleveland will probably be a team to watch when the trade deadline approaches. Here’s more on a few teams the Cavs are trying to overcome in the East:
- The Nets have recalled Tornike Shengelia from the D-League, the team announced. Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Paul Pierce are all out for tonight’s game with the Clippers, so Brooklyn is likely making the move to shore up its depth.
- The Bobcats are hiring Matt Carroll for an apparent non-playing gig, tweets Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. The Pennsylvania native had an informal coaching role with the Sixers in training camp, and now he’ll join the team with which he spent most of his 10 seasons as a player.
- Bonnell also checks in with one of Carroll’s former Bobcats teammates in Gerald Wallace, who’s no longer the player he once was, even though his contract with the Celtics pays him as though he were. Wallace played a key mentorship role for Gerald Henderson, who re-signed with the ‘Cats this summer on a three-year, $18MM deal.