Odds & Ends: Bucks, Revenues, Colangelo, Rose
The Bucks sit atop the Central Division two weeks into the season, and with the Bulls missing Derrick Rose and the Pacers without Danny Granger, there's a chance they might stay in first place for a while. Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis can become free agents next summer, but they're off to a strong start in their first full season as teammates, observes Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Nonetheless, Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group predicts Ellis won't be with the Bucks next year (Twitter link). While we wait to see how Milwaukee's situation plays out, there's news on Rose and others on a six-game night in the Association.
- Commissioner David Stern said the league is projecting it will rake in a record $5 billion of revenue this season, a 20% jump from 2010/11, the NBA's last full season, writes Ronald Blum of The Associated Press (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune).
- Jerry Colangelo has been re-elected as chairman of USA Basketball's board of directors through 2016, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Chauncey Billups will also join the board as an athlete representative.
- In the same piece, Zillgitt notes that Colangelo said there's no rush to name a coach to replace the outgoing Mike Krzyzewski.
- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau expects Rose to return at some point this season, writes Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com.
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun reiterates a point he's made before, suggesting the Raptors ought to trade Andrea Bargnani to bolster a position of weakness.
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside passes along details on this season's D-League showcase, which is set to take place in early January 2013.
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker are playing like legitimate building blocks for the 3-3 Bobcats, as Jim Cavan of The New York Times chronicles.
Nuggets Assign Quincy Miller To D-League
The Nuggets have assigned Quincy Miller to their D-League affiliate, the team announced today in a press release. The second-round pick will join the Iowa Energy in advance of the D-League's regular season.
Miller, 19, averaged 6.8 PPG and 5.2 RPG for Denver's Summer League squad, but didn't appear in a game for the Nuggets in the preseason, let alone the regular season. He'll get a chance to earn more playing time in Iowa, which was a possibility GM Masai Ujiri alluded to earlier this fall.
You can find this season's complete list of D-League assignments and recalls right here.
2012/13 NBA D-League Assignments And Recalls
Although the D-League regular season isn't set to get underway until November 23rd, training camps have opened, with preseason action scheduled to begin this Friday. Already, a pair of NBA teams have taken advantage of the ability to assign players on 15-man rosters to their D-League affiliates.
Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors recently explained the rules for D-League assignments, so we'll use this space to track all of the assignments and recalls for the 2012/13 season, in chronological order. You can find this page, which we'll update throughout the season, anytime on the right sidebar under "Hoops Rumors Features."
Here are 2012/13's D-League assignments and recalls:
November
- 7th: Kings assign Tyler Honeycutt to Reno Bighorns.
- 10th: Lakers assign Darius Johnson-Odom to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 11th: Lakers recall Darius Johnson-Odom from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 13th: Nuggets assign Quincy Miller to Iowa Energy.
- 14th: Rockets assign Donatas Motiejunas and Scott Machado to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 14th: Celtics assign Fab Melo and Kris Joseph to Maine Red Claws.
- 15th: Spurs assign Cory Joseph to Austin Toros.
- 21st: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 21st: Spurs recall Cory Joseph from Austin Toros.
- 22nd: Thunder assign Daniel Orton and DeAndre Liggins to Tulsa 66ers.
- 25th: Rockets recall Donatas Motiejunas from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 25th: Lakers assign Darius Johnson-Odom to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 26th: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 26th: Jazz assign Kevin Murphy to Reno Bighorns.
- 26th: Rockets recall Scott Machado from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 27th: Grizzlies assign Tony Wroten to Reno Bighorns.
- 28th: Lakers assign Robert Sacre to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 29th: Suns assign Kendall Marshall to Bakersfield Jam.
- 29th: Thunder assign Jeremy Lamb to Tulsa 66ers.
- 29th: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 30th: Rockets assign Terrence Jones and Scott Machado to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 30th: Celtics recall Kris Joseph from Maine Red Claws.
- 30th: Warriors assign Kent Bazemore to Santa Cruz Warriors.
December
- 1st: Spurs assign Cory Joseph to Austin Toros.
- 1st: Hawks assign John Jenkins and Mike Scott to Bakersfield Jam.
- 1st: Warriors recall Kent Bazemore from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 1st: Thunder recall DeAndre Liggins from Tulsa 66ers.
- 2nd: Warriors assign Jeremy Tyler to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 2nd: Nuggets recall Quincy Miller from Iowa Energy.
- 2nd: Spurs assign Nando De Colo to Austin Toros.
- 2nd: Celtics assign Kris Joseph to Maine Red Claws.
- 3rd: Thunder assign Perry Jones III to Tulsa 66ers.
- 3rd: Spurs recall Nando De Colo from Austin Toros.
- 3rd: Warriors recall Jeremy Tyler from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 3rd: Rockets recall Terrence Jones from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 3rd: Lakers recall Robert Sacre from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 4th: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
- 5th: Hawks recall John Jenkins from Bakersfield Jam.
- 5th: Spurs recall Cory Joseph from Austin Toros.
- 5th: Celtics recall Kris Joseph from Maine Red Claws.
- 6th: Raptors assign Quincy Acy to Bakersfield Jam.
- 7th: Cavaliers assign Jon Leuer to Canton Charge.
- 7th: Trail Blazers assign Will Barton and Victor Claver to Idaho Stampede.
- 7th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones III, and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 8th: Thunder assign Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 8th: Celtics assign Kris Joseph to Maine Red Claws.
- 8th: Thunder assign Reggie Jackson to Tulsa 66ers.
- 9th: Trail Blazers recall Will Barton and Victor Claver from Idaho Stampede.
- 9th: Thunder recall Reggie Jackson from Tulsa 66ers.
- 10th: Celtics recall Fab Melo from Maine Red Claws.
- 10th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 11th: Mavericks assign Jared Cunningham to Texas Legends.
- 11th: Hawks recall Mike Scott from Bakersfield Jam.
- 12th: Pistons assign Kim English and Khris Middleton to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 12th: Celtics assign Fab Melo to Maine Red Claws.
- 12th: Raptors recall Quincy Acy from Bakersfield Jam.
- 13th: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 14th: Rockets assign Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 14th: Trail Blazers assign Victor Claver and Joel Freeland to Idaho Stampede.
- 14th: Thunder assign Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 16th: Rockets recall Terrence Jones from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 16th: Trail Blazers recall Victor Claver and Joel Freeland from Idaho Stampede.
- 17th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 17th: Spurs assign Cory Joseph to Austin Toros.
- 17th: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 17th: Grizzlies recall Tony Wroten from Reno Bighorns.
- 17th: Grizzlies assign Josh Selby to Reno Bighorns.
- 17th: Kings recall Tyler Honeycutt from Reno Bighorns.
- 18th: Knicks assign Amare Stoudemire, Chris Copeland, and James White to Erie BayHawks.
- 18th: Rockets recall Donatas Motiejunas from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 19th: Spurs assign Kawhi Leonard to Austin Toros.
- 19th: Pistons recall Kim English and Khris Middleton from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 19th: Knicks recall Chris Copeland and James White from Erie BayHawks.
- 19th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III and DeAndre Liggins to Tulsa 66ers.
- 20th: Cavaliers recall Jon Leuer from Canton Charge.
- 20th: Knicks assign Chris Copeland and James White to Erie BayHawks.
- 20th: Spurs recall Kawhi Leonard from Austin Toros.
- 21st: Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to Springfield Armor.
- 21st: Celtics recall Kris Joseph from Maine Red Claws.
- 21st: Suns recall Kendall Marshall from Bakersfield Jam.
- 21st: 76ers assign Arnett Moultrie to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 21st: Thunder assign Reggie Jackson to Tulsa 66ers.
- 21st: Knicks recall Amare Stoudemire, Chris Copeland, and James White from Erie BayHawks.
- 22nd: Nets recall Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from Springfield Armor.
- 22nd: Grizzlies recall Josh Selby from Reno Bighorns.
- 22nd: Rockets recall Scott Machado from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 22nd: Celtics assign Kris Joseph to Maine Red Claws.
- 23rd: Thunder recall Reggie Jackson, DeAndre Liggins, and Perry Jones III from Tulsa 66ers.
- 23rd: Warriors assign Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 23rd: Celtics recall Kris Joseph from Maine Red Claws.
- 24th: Warriors recall Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 25th: Rockets assign Terrence Jones to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 26th: Heat assign Dexter Pittman to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 26th: Grizzlies assign Tony Wroten to Reno Bighorns.
- 27th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 27th: Nuggets assign Quincy Miller to Iowa Energy.
- 27th: Warriors assign Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 27th: Pacers assign Orlando Johnson to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 28th: Cavaliers assign Samardo Samuels to Canton Charge.
- 28th: Warriors recall Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 28th: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 28th: Pacers recall Orlando Johnson from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 29th: Rockets assign Royce White to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 31st: Thunder recall Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 31st: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 31st: Hornets assign Darius Miller to Iowa Energy.
- 31st: Mavericks recall Jared Cunningham from Texas Legends.
- 31st: Cavaliers recall Samardo Samuels from Canton Charge.
- 31st: Grizzlies recall Tony Wroten from Reno Bighorns.
- 31st: Warriors assign Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler to Santa Cruz Warriors.
January
- 2nd: Celtics recall Fab Melo from Maine Red Claws.
- 2nd: Warriors recall Kent Bazemore and Jeremy Tyler from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 3rd: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 3rd: Cavaliers assign Jon Leuer to Canton Charge.
- 4th: Pacers recall Orlando Johnson from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 4th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb, and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 4th: Spurs assign Nando De Colo to Austin Toros.
- 4th: Celtics assign Kris Joseph to Maine Red Claws.
- 5th: Spurs recall Nando De Colo from Austin Toros.
- 5th: Lakers assign Robert Sacre to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 6th: Trail Blazers assign Will Barton and Nolan Smith to Idaho Stampede.
- 6th: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 6th: 76ers recall Arnett Moultrie from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 7th: Cavaliers recall Jon Leuer from Canton Charge.
- 7th: Rockets assign Patrick Beverley to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 7th: Lakers recall Robert Sacre from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 8th: Jazz recall Kevin Murphy from Reno Bighorns.
- 9th: Trail Blazers recall Will Barton and Nolan Smith from Idaho Stampede.
- 10th: Suns assign Diante Garrett to Bakersfield Jam.
- 11th: Grizzlies assign Tony Wroten to Reno Bighorns.
- 11th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb from Tulsa 66ers.
- 11th: Celtics assign Fab Melo to Maine Red Claws.
- 12th: Bucks assign Doron Lamb to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 13th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 14th: Spurs recall Cory Joseph from Austin Toros.
- 14th: Rockets recall Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 14th: Grizzlies recall Tony Wroten from Reno Bighorns.
- 16th: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 16th: Rockets assign Terrence Jones to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 17th: Heat recall Dexter Pittman from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 18th: Heat assign Dexter Pittman to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 20th: Warriors assign Jeremy Tyler to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 20th: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 20th: Heat recall Dexter Pittman from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 21st: Warriors recall Jeremy Tyler from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 21st: Bucks recall Doron Lamb from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 21st: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 21st: Thunder assign Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 22nd: Rockets recall Terrence Jones from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 22nd: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
- 22nd: Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to Springfield Armor.
- 22nd: Rockets assign Donatas Motiejunas to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 23rd: Spurs assign Cory Joseph to Austin Toros.
- 23rd: Spurs recall Cory Joseph from Austin Toros.
- 24th: Spurs assign Cory Joseph to Austin Toros.
- 24th: Cavaliers assign Josh Selby to Canton Charge.
- 27th: Hornets recall Darius Miller from Iowa Energy.
- 28th: Nets recall Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from Springfield Armor.
- 28th: Suns recall Diante Garrett from Bakersfield Jam.
- 28th: Rockets recall Donatas Motiejunas from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 28th: Mavericks assign Jared Cunningham to Texas Legends.
- 28th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 29th: Celtics recall Fab Melo from Maine Red Claws.
- 30th: Nuggets assign Julyan Stone to Iowa Energy.
- 30th: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 31st: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
February
- 1st: Spurs assign Aron Baynes to Austin Toros.
- 1st: Rockets assign Terrence Jones to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 3rd: Bucks assign Doron Lamb to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 3rd: Heat assign Dexter Pittman to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 4th: Pacers assign Miles Plumlee to Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 4th: Spurs recall Aron Baynes from Austin Toros.
- 8th: Celtics assign Fab Melo to Maine Red Claws.
- 9th: Pacers recall Miles Plumlee from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 10th: Bucks recall Doron Lamb from Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
- 10th: Rockets assign Greg Smith to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 10th: Celtics recall Fab Melo from Maine Red Claws.
- 13th: Nuggets recall Quincy Miller and Julyan Stone from Iowa Energy.
- 13th: Heat recall Dexter Pittman from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 14th: Rockets recall Terrence Jones and Greg Smith from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 18th: Heat assign Dexter Pittman to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 20th: Heat recall Dexter Pittman from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 25th: Rockets assign Tyler Honeycutt to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 28th: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 28th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Jeremy Lamb to Tulsa 66ers.
- 28th: Nets assign Tornike Shengelia to Springfield Armor.
- 28th: Spurs assign Aron Baynes to Austin Toros.
- 28th: Spurs recall Cory Joseph from Austin Toros.
March
- 1st: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
- 1st: Spurs recall Aron Baynes from Austin Toros.
- 1st: Celtics assign Fab Melo to Maine Red Claws.
- 1st: Hawks assign Mike Scott to Bakersfield Jam.
- 1st: Heat assign Jarvis Varnado to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 2nd: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 3rd: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
- 4th: Raptors assign Quincy Acy to Bakersfield Jam.
- 4th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Jeremy Lamb from Tulsa 66ers.
- 5th: Nets recall Tornike Shengelia from Springfield Armor.
- 6th: Hawks recall Mike Scott from Bakersfield Jam.
- 7th: Thunder assign DeAndre Liggins and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 7th: Lakers assign Darius Morris and Robert Sacre to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 8th: Lakers recall Darius Morris and Robert Sacre from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 9th: Lakers assign Darius Morris and Robert Sacre to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 10th: Lakers recall Darius Morris and Robert Sacre from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 10th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III and Jeremy Lamb to Tulsa 66ers.
- 10th: Heat recall Jarvis Varnado from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 12th: Warriors assign Kent Bazemore and Malcolm Thomas to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 13th: Cavaliers assign Kevin Jones to Canton Charge.
- 13th: Warriors recall Kent Bazemore and Malcolm Thomas from Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 13th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III from Tulsa 66ers.
- 15th: Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to Springfield Armor.
- 15th: Spurs assign Aron Baynes and Nando De Colo to Austin Toros.
- 16th: Nets recall Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from Springfield Armor.
- 16th: Spurs recall Nando De Colo from Austin Toros.
- 18th: Nets assign Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor to Springfield Armor.
- 18th: Cavaliers recall Kevin Jones from Canton Charge.
- 18th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb, DeAndre Liggins and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 19th: Spurs recall Aron Baynes from Austin Toros.
- 21st: Heat assign Jarvis Varnado to Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 21st: Rockets assign Terrence Jones to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 23rd: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 24th: Spurs assign Aron Baynes to Austin Toros.
- 24th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 26th: Thunder assign DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton to Tulsa 66ers.
- 26th: Raptors recall Quincy Acy from Bakersfield Jam.
- 27th: Nets recall Tornike Shengelia and Tyshawn Taylor from Springfield Armor.
- 30th: Mavericks recall Jared Cunningham from Texas Legends.
- 31st: Thunder recall DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton from Tulsa 66ers.
- 31st: Spurs recall Aron Baynes from Austin Toros.
April
- 1st: Rockets recall Terrence Jones from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 3rd: Lakers assign Darius Morris and Robert Sacre to Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 4th: Lakers recall Darius Morris and Robert Sacre from Los Angeles D-Fenders.
- 5th: Spurs assign Aron Baynes to Austin Toros.
- 6th: Grizzlies assign Keyon Dooling and Tony Wroten to Reno Bighorns.
- 6th: Thunder assign Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins to Tulsa 66ers.
- 6th: Suns assign Diante Garrett to Bakersfield Jam.
- 7th: Suns recall Diante Garrett from Bakersfield Jam.
- 7th: Thunder recall Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins from Tulsa 66ers.
- 7th: Grizzlies recall Keyon Dooling and Tony Wroten from Reno Bighorns.
- 7th: Heat recall Jarvis Varnado from Sioux Falls Skyforce.
- 8th: Warriors assign Scott Machado to Santa Cruz Warriors.
- 8th: Spurs recall Aron Baynes from Austin Toros.
- 9th: Rockets assign Tim Ohlbrecht to Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 9th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins to Tulsa 66ers.
- 11th: Suns assign Diante Garrett to Bakersfield Jam.
- 15th: Celtics recall Fab Melo from Maine Red Claws.
- 15th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins from Tulsa 66ers.
- 19th: Thunder assign Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins to Tulsa 66ers.
- 20th: Thunder recall Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb and DeAndre Liggins from Tulsa 66ers.
- 28th: Rockets recall Tim Ohlbrecht from Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
- 28th: Warriors recall Scott Machado from Santa Cruz Warriors.
Western Notes: Blazers, Brown, Williams, Martin
The Western Conference got off to a bit of a slow start in inter-conference games this year, but Western teams turned that trend around last night. Of the six Wednesday night contests that pitted West vs. East, only the Sixers could earn a win for the Eastern Conference, beating the Hornets in New Orleans — the Suns, Mavericks, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Kings all defeated Eastern teams.
Here are a few of today's updates from around the Western Conference:
- The Trail Blazers haven't received much bench production so far, something GM Neil Olshey is keeping an eye on. According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Olshey may look to address the issue at the trade deadline if no one steps up internally.
- SI.com's Ben Golliver reads between the lines of Jim Buss' comments on Lakers coach Mike Brown, concluding that Buss may be laying the groundwork for Brown to eventually be replaced.
- Tyson Chandler believes the Mavericks had a chance to win back-to-back titles if Mark Cuban had elected to bring all of 2010/11's Mavs back last season, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
- If Derrick Williams doesn't start producing soon, it may be time to consider whether last year's second overall pick is a bust, says Stephen Brotherson of HoopsWorld.
- Although Kevin Martin is in a contract year, Thunder GM Sam Presti tells Sam Amick of USA Today that isn't a concern at the moment, and that Martin's future will be addressed "at the appropriate time."
- Kirk Lacob, general manager of the Warriors' D-League affiliate, spoke to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle about Santa Cruz's new stadium and last week's draft. We covered a few other D-League items of note earlier today.
International/D-League Updates: Thursday
Here are a few of the latest non-NBA links, from the D-League and overseas:
- Italy's Pallacanestro Cantu is still interested in signing Sundiata Gaines, but the point guard, who was waived in October by the Pacers, has also received an offer from a Chinese team, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando.
- We heard yesterday that Spain's Lagun Aro was closing in on a deal with Jermaine Taylor, and today the team made the signing official (as translated by Sportando). Taylor had been in camp with the Timberwolves.
- At his introductory press conference with the Melbourne Tigers, Jonny Flynn explained that he wanted to sign where he'd have the "best chance to play," as Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside writes.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers is rooting for JaJuan Johnson, the former Celtic who was the first overall pick in last week's D-League draft. "I know he has the talent, I’ll put it that way," said Rivers, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. "I told him that this summer. He’s going to either have to pull it out of himself, or it’ll be there. But I do believe that he has NBA talent. And I hope he makes it."
- Johnson, Andrew Goudelock, and Justin Harper, the top three picks in the D-League draft, spoke to HoopsWorld about making the most of their time in the D-League.
- If former Spur James Anderson can improve his long-range jumper with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, don't expect him to be in the D-League for long, says Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside.
D-League Assignment Rules
With Tyler Honeycutt today becoming the first NBA player to be assigned to the D-League this year, it's an appropriate time to outline the rules regarding D-League assignments, some of which change this year under the new CBA. Previously, only first- and second-year players could be sent down without their consent, and no one could be assigned more than three times a season. This year, teams may also send third-year players to the D-League without their permission, and there is no limit on the number of times a player can be assigned. Veterans with more experience can be sent down, too, as long as they sign off on it. Teams may elect to send their longer-tenured players down for a rehab assignment, for example.
Rules that remain unchanged include:
- There is no limit to the length of an assignment.
- NBA players receive their full salaries while on D-League assignment, but their performances don't count toward any contractual incentive clauses they may have.
- The 10-man D-League rosters may be expanded to 12 to fit NBA assignees on the team. NBA teams who share their affiliates with other teams are allowed to assign their players to another D-League team if their affiliate's roster is full.
The Spurs, Warriors, Thunder, Lakers, Cavaliers and Mavericks all own their D-League affiliates. A handful of other NBA franchises are engaged in a "hybrid partnership" in which the D-League team runs the business operation itself while the NBA parent club takes care of the basketball side. The Celtics, Rockets, Nets, Knicks and Trail Blazers all have this kind of arrangement. The 11 teams that either own their affiliates or control basketball operations have an advantage over the rest of the league, since they can govern how much playing time their assignees receive and match their affiliate's style of play with their own.
For more on the D-League, check out our list of affiliations for this year, our list of last year's D-League assignments and recalls, and bookmark https://www.hoopsrumors.com/nba-d-league/ to track the latest news about NBA players in the D-League.
Note: This is a Hoops Rumors Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to trades, free agency, or other aspects of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Larry Coon's Salary Cap FAQ was used in the creation of this post.
Kings Assign Tyler Honeycutt To D-League
The Kings are making this year's first D-League assignment, as they've announced via press release that they're sending Tyler Honeycutt to the Reno Bighorns tomorrow. Honeycutt, whom the Kings drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2011, spent 10 games with Reno last season, almost as many as the 15 games he played with the big club in Sacramento. The move comes as little surprise, since Kings coach Keith Smart said last month he wanted to have Honeycutt go through training camp with the Bighorns, which begins in a few days, tweets Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
The 6'8" small forward from UCLA has yet to appear in a regular season game for the Kings this year, and got in only one of the team's preseason contests, thanks in part to a stress fracture in his right fibula. He saw only 88 total minutes for Sacramento last season, and in 12.8 minutes per game at Reno, he averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds. Honeycutt is on a fully guaranteed contract for about $810K this season, with another partially guaranteed year on the deal for 2013/14.
Honeycutt is available for tonight's game against the Pistons, but will report to the Bighorns by Friday, the team says.
Odds & Ends: Harden, ’13 Draft, Nuggets, Hudson
As we prepare for a jam-packed night of NBA games, with all but four teams in action, let's round up a few of today's links that have fallen through the cracks until now….
- John Rohde of the Oklahoman calls out James Harden for comments he made to Yahoo! Sports about being disappointed that the Thunder only gave him an hour to consider their final extension offer.
- We're still about seven and a half months from 2013's NBA draft, but that didn't stop Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports from updating his board with his latest mock draft.
- Another draft guru, ESPN.com's Chad Ford, fielded readers' questions about college prospects and NBA storylines in a chat this afternoon.
- Losing three-point threats like Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, and Rudy Fernandez could be one factor contributing to the Nuggets' poor start, writes John Hollinger in an Insider piece at ESPN.com.
- Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside examines Troy Hudson's NBA comeback attempt, which sees the 36-year-old headed to camp with the D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.
D-League Draftees With NBA Experience
The D-League held its annual draft over the weekend, with the league's 16 teams selecting eight rounds worth of players. The draft isn't the only way D-League rosters are filled out — players from last year's rosters can be brought back, NBA clubs can assign players to their respective D-League affiliates, and players that participated in open tryouts can be invited to camp.
For players who were recently cut from NBA rosters and whose D-League rights weren't retained, however, the draft is their best chance of earning a spot on a D-League squad. A number of players that have seen regular-season action in the NBA were selected on Friday night, as were a handful of players that were a part of NBA training camp rosters this October.
Here are the former NBA players who were picked in the D-League draft, with their draft slot in parentheses:
- JaJuan Johnson, Fort Wayne Mad Ants (1)
- Andrew Goudelock, Sioux Falls Skyforce (2)
- Justin Harper, Idaho Stampede (3)
- Shelvin Mack, Maine Red Claws (4)
- Christian Eyenga, Texas Legends (8)
- Travis Leslie, Santa Cruz Warriors (13)
- Sean Singletary, Texas Legends (24)
- Dontell Jefferson, Reno Bighorns (85)
And here are the players who participated in training camp with an NBA team last month and were selected in the D-League draft. The player's overall draft position is noted in parentheses, with the NBA team that invited him to camp listed as well:
- Chris Johnson, Rio Grande Valley Vipers (7): Clippers, Magic
- D'Aundray Brown, Canton Charge (10): Cavaliers
- Demonte Harper, Reno Bighorns (21): Trail Blazers
- Willie Reed, Springfield Armor (30): Kings
- Hank Thorns, Idaho Stampede (51): Clippers
- Phil Jones, Los Angeles D-Fenders (80): Timberwolves
- Vance Cooksey, Iowa Energy (89): Bulls
For these players, being drafted by a D-League club doesn't necessarily mean they'll spend all season with that team. They are still essentially NBA free agents, and can be signed by any NBA team, assuming that club is willing to use one of its 15 roster spots.
Pacific Rumors: Rush, Warriors, Brown, Goudelock
The early signs didn’t appear positive after Brandon Rush suffered a gruesome injury last night, as Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group writes, and agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed the bad news, passing along word that Rush tore his ACL, tweets Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chroncle. Missing a significant amount of time figures to disrupt Rush’s plan to decline the $4MM option on the last year of his contract next summer. Rush was set on continuing his impressive play from last season and parlaying it into a longer, more lucrative contract in 2013, Thompson reveals. There’s more on what the next step could be for the Golden State, as well as other notes out of the Pacific this afternoon.
- The torn left ACL will keep Rush out for the season, according to Simmons, who suggests Josh Howard, Mickael Pietrus and Maurice Evans as possible replacements.
Earlier updates:
- The Warriors could request a $2MM disabled player exception if Rush is ruled out for the rest of the season, but fellow Bay Area News Group scribe Tim Kawakami points out the Warriors may pass on that option, since they’re already above the luxury tax threshold (Twitter link).
- It might be premature to suggest Mike Brown is on his way out of the Lakers coaching job, but Zach Harper of CBSSports.com notices that Brown is already showing signs of desperation.
- Former Lakers guard Andrew Goudelock was taken second in last night’s D-League draft, after JaJuan Johnson, but Ridiculous Upside’s Gino Pilato, in handing out draft grades for every D-League team, calls him “the best recent former NBA talent” in the draft.
- Suns rookie point guard Kendall Marshall doesn’t figure to see much playing time, and with practice time much less plentiful in the regular season than it was in training camp, he and assistant coach Lindsey Hunter are fitting in some one-on-one instruction, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic documents.
- Harper argues that while Clippers offer plenty of flash, their retooled offseason roster still has too many holes.