Odds & Ends: Ilyasova, Lakers, Rockets, Clippers
One of the more insulting phrases in basketball circles is "sign-and-retire", a clever quip for players who ink lucrative contracts and seemingly transition into cruise control. Today, ESPN.com's John Hollinger (Insider sub. req'd) looked at several players who have been underwhelming so far in 2012/13 after signing big money deals. The Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova signed a five-year, $40MM deal this summer but now has a 9.69 PER to go along with 35.3% shooting from the floor. Other disappointing players highlighted by Hollinger include the Celtics' Jeff Green, the Pacers' Roy Hibbert, and the Raptors' Landry Fields. Here's more from around the Association..
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside looked at players in the D-League who could potentially help the Lakers solve their point guard problem. The Lakers could turn their own affiliate and call upon Darius Johnson-Odom or Courtney Fortson. Pilato also suggests that the Lakers could re-unite with Andrew Goudelock, who is currently playing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- When asked if the Clippers can turn the corner, Mavs center Chris Kaman responded, "If [owner Donald] Sterling sold the team they might be able to," Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram tweets.
- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said that he would like to get a new contract as coach and "be the new owners' guy" going forward, tweets Rob Fischer of Sports 560 AM. The Grizzlies were recently purchased by 34-year-old Robert Pera, who is joined by a group of high-profile minority owners.
- Derrick Caracter has signed a contract with Israel's Bnei Herzliya, according to David Pick of Eurobasket (via Twitter). The former Laker spent last season in the D-League with three different teams and was on the Hawks' summer league team.
Cavs Recall Kevin Jones
The Cavaliers have recalled power forward Kevin Jones from the D-League's Canton Charge, according to Sam Amico of FOXSports.com. The undrafted rookie out of West Virginia hooked on with the Cavs in summer camp and was one of three players to be assigned to their D-League affiliate.
Jones was on a tear for the Charge and the Cavs thought enough of Jones to waive Luke Harangody in order to sign him last week. The former Celtic beat Jones out for a spot on the Cavs' roster this offseason but never actually appeared in a game. The Cavs are on the hook for Harangody's full $1.05MM guaranteed salary for 2012/13.
In five D-League games, Jones has averaged 23.6 PPG and 12.6 RPG in 41 minutes per contest. The 6'8" forward was projected to be an early or mid-second-round pick in the 2012 draft before a bone bruise took him out of the pre-draft circuit and kept him out of summer league play.
Rockets Recall Terrence Jones
The Rockets announced today that the team has recalled forward Terrence Jones from NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. Jones was assigned to the Vipers on November 30th and averaged 22.5 points and 17.5 rebounds in two starts with the team.
The 20-year-old appeared in seven contests for the Rockets so far in his rookie season, averaging 3.6 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 10.4 minutes per contest. Be sure to keep up with all of this year's D-League assignments and recalls, including today's flurry of activity, with this handy post.
Warriors Recall Jeremy Tyler
The Warriors announced that they have recalled forward/center Jeremy Tyler from the D-League’s Santa Cruz Warriors. Tyler will return to Oakland in time for tonight’s home game versus the Magic.
Tyler had a one-day assignment with Golden State’s D-League affiliate and registered five points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 29 minutes of the team’s 95-79 victory at Reno yesterday afternoon. The 21-year-old averaged 4.9 PPG with 3.3 RPG in 13.5 minutes per contest last season. This year, Tyler has seen just ten minutes of play across five games.
Spurs Recall Nando De Colo From D-League
The Spurs announced that they have re-called guard Nando De Colo from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. De Colo’s stint in Austin lasted approximately 24 hours as he was assigned yesterday morning.
De Colo’s one-game outing in Austin was successful as he had 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the team’s 97-82 victory over Idaho last night. The rookie appeared in 13 games for the Spurs this year, averaging 2.5 PPG on just 30% shooting in 10.4 minutes per game. The 25-year-old made his first NBA start on Thursday against the Heat as the Spurs rested their core three plus Danny Green.
Thunder Assign Perry Jones To D-League
The Thunder have assigned rookie forward Perry Jones to the Tulsa 66ers of the D-League, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). The Baylor product was taken with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 draft.
In ten games this season, Jones has logged 76 minutes of play with 12 points and 14 rebounds. The 6'11" forward was widely expected to be a late-lottery pick but suffered a free fall due to concerns over a potential meniscus issue.
Warriors Recall Kent Bazemore
A fine performance in his D-League debut was apparently enough to earn Kent Bazemore a return trip to the big club, as the Warriors have recalled the rookie from their D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, according to an announcement from the team. Golden State sent Bazemore down yesterday in time for Santa Cruz's game against Reno, and he put up 27 points, nine rebounds and five steals in 33 minutes of action.
The Warriors seem to have plans for the 6'5" swingman who went undrafted out of Old Dominion this June, since they're reportedly unwilling to cut him to bring back former Warrior Dominic McGuire, whom the Raptors let go earlier this week. Bazemore is on a minimum-salary contract that's partially guaranteed for $25K.
Still, this might not be Bazemore's final trip to Santa Cruz this season. We heard this week that the Warriors may shuttle him and Jeremy Tyler back and forth between the D-League and the NBA, given the proximity of Santa Cruz to Oakland. The Warriors bought the former Dakota Wizards last year and moved them to California.
Spurs Assign Cory Joseph To D-League
The Spurs announced that they have re-assigned guard Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League. Joseph was first assigned to the Toros on November 15th and was recalled days later on November 21.
Joseph, 21, appeared in four games for Spurs, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 assists in 7.8 minutes. In three stints with the Toros last season, the 6’3″ guard averaged 13.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.29 steals in 14 games. Joseph also spent 29 games with the Spurs in 2011/12, averaging 2.0 PPG in 9.0 minutes per contest.
Hawks Assign Jenkins, Scott To D-League
The Hawks are sending rookies John Jenkins and Mike Scott to their D-League affiliate in Bakersfield, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). The length of stay for both players is to be determined.
Jenkins was taken with the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Vanderbilt. The 21-year-old guard saw just 13 minutes across four games this season and figures to see more action in the D-League. Scott, a 6'8" forward, was tabbed in the second-round (43rd overall) and saw 16 minutes of burn in five games.
Be sure to check out our complete list of D-League assignments and recalls to keep track of the latest moves.
Warriors Assign Kent Bazemore To D-League
The Warriors have officially assigned rookie Kent Bazmore to their D-League affiliate, the team announced today in a press release. Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group first reported that the team would send Bazemore to the Santa Cruz Warriors today.
Bazemore, an undrafted rookie out of Old Dominion, was invited to Warriors camp in the fall and was a somewhat unexpected addition to the regular season roster. Although he's appeared in six games for Golden State, Bazemore hasn't seen much action, failing to score his first NBA points in about 10 total minutes of play.
Bazemore is the first Warriors player to be assigned to the team's single-affiliate D-League squad in Santa Cruz.