More on G League Call Ups
As of right now, multiple sources familiar with the front office’s thinking tell Basketball Insiders that manufacturing a roster spot in order to call up D-League standout Ronald Roberts remains a priority for the team. There has been some gossip related to Anthony Bennett and Lucas Nogueira, with those two names seeming to be the most logical casualties to make room for Roberts.
Gerald Bourguet: #Suns officially announce the Orlando Johnson signing. Forgot Earl Watson was an assistant with the Austin Spurs when Johnson played there
Shams Charania: The Phoenix Suns will sign guard Orlando Johnson of Austin to a 10-day contract, league sources tell The Vertical. Former 2nd round pick.
Sean Kilpatrick‘s second 10-day contract with the Nuggets has come to an end and he will not be retained by the team. In a move you don’t see very often when guys on short contracts are involved, teammate Gary Harris had nice words for the departing player on Twitter.
Rowan Kavner: Doc said Jeff Ayres will get a second 10 day contract. That means no D-League All-Star Game for him. I think he'll deal just fine. Apparently Jeff just found out the deal when asked about it in the locker room, so he should be happy today.
New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo -- from the Westchester Knicks -- to a 10-day contract. His signing marks the 15th NBA Gatorade D-League call-up of the season.
The Phoenix Suns announced today they have signed guard Jordan McRae to a 10-day contract. McRae ranks third in the NBA Development League with an average of 23.1 points in 28 games with the Delaware 87ers this season, including a D-League record 61 points in his most recent outing on Tuesday.
Marc Berman: Thanasis won't sign the ten-day pact until tomorrow so clocks starts ticking when he suits up vs. Suns. Could mean Jose groin is tricky.
Stefan Bondy: Thanasis will be available for five games on his 10-day contract. The Knicks can then give him another 10-day deal. Two of those is max.
Stefan Bondy: Source says Thanasis will be available for the Knicks tomorrow against Phoenix.
Shams Charania: The New York Knicks have signed forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo to a 10 day contract, league sources tell Yahoo. He was NYK's 2014 pick.
Shams Charania: Suns are planning to sign Delaware's Jordan McRae to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo. McRae scored D-League record 61 points.
With the NBA only a step away and seeming closer and closer each day, Roberts Jr. is on the brink of something he has been working towards his whole life. When the opportunity comes it’s going to be something that he cherishes. "Getting called up to the NBA would mean a lot to me. It’s a dream and I think about it every day. I wake up and think about it and I go to sleep thinking about it, so to be able to accomplish that would just be huge for me," the young gun said.
The Orlando Magic have decided to keep rookie point guard Keith Appling around at least a little bit longer. The Magic will sign Appling to a second 10-day contract on Friday, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Orlando Sentinel. By waiting until Friday, Appling will remain on the roster through Feb. 7, when the Magic will host the Atlanta Hawks, and would be able to play that day if needed.
The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Erick Green from the Reno Bighorns to a 10-day contract. Green becomes the NBA’s 13th overall NBA D-League Call-Up of the 2015-16 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not released. Following the move, Utah’s roster now stands at 15 players. Green (6-3, 178, Virginia Tech) has appeared in 23 games (22 starts) for the Bighorns this season, averaging 26.7 points on 53.3 percent shooting, 4.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 39.0 minutes of action. He has scored in double figures in 22 games, including 20-plus points on 19 occasions. He scored 30-or-more points in nine contests and a career-high 40 points in two games.
The Utah Jazz will sign guard Erick Green of the Reno Bighorns to a 10-day contract, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Ben Bolch: Jeff Ayres' agent woke him to tell him Clippers had signed him: "I was halfway asleep. It was awesome. It was great news to wake up to."
Rowan Kavner: Jeff Ayres, up from the D-League, is officially the newest Clipper https://t.co/9x8zgdq3iU
The Los Angeles Clippers plan to sign center Jeff Ayres from the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract after clearing a roster spot by trading Josh Smith, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Ayres will join the Clippers for their game Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. The 6-foot-10 Ayres will give the Clippers depth in the frontcourt and some insurance as Blake Griffin nears his return from a quad injury.
Shams Charania: The Los Angeles Clippers will sign center Jeff Ayres to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo. Ayres played for Idaho in D-League.
Shams Charania: The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a 10-day contract with guard Bryce Dejean-Jones of D-League Idaho, league sources tell Yahoo.
Chris Reichert: Dejean-Jones will be the 11th call up from the D-League. He will be the 3rd from the @IdahoStampede as well.
Marc Stein: Hearing Pels, after losing Eric Gordon, likely to sign Bryce Dejean-Jones from @nbadleague after they had @IdahoStampede G in training camp
The Orlando Magic have called-up guard Keith Appling from the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League and signed him to a 10-day contract, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, guard Devyn Marble has been recalled from Erie. Appling (#15, 6’1”, 185, 2/13/92) has played in 17 games this season with Erie, averaging 16.8 ppg., 5.6 apg., 4.1 rpg. and 2.12 stlpg. in 31.3 minpg. He was leading the BayHawks in scoring, assists and steals at the time of his call-up. Appling appeared in five preseason games with Orlando, averaging 1.2 ppg. in 8.7 minpg., before being waived on October 19.
Shams Charania: Orlando will sign guard Keith Appling to 10-day contract, calling him up out of its affiliate, sources tell Yahoo. Appling starred for Erie.
A couple of weeks ago he reconnected with his former agent, Todd Ramasar, and Saturday held a private workout for the Dallas Mavericks. They supposedly remain interested, but as with everyone else, they want to see him play first. While a source close to Davis says interest also has been expressed by teams in Finland, Israel and Australia, where former Knicks teammate Al Harrington is currently playing for the Sydney Kings, going overseas would probably push a return to the NBA to next season. It also might make it difficult for him to keep up his maintenance work with Hines and Dr. Khaziran. Forging his way back through the no-frills D-League actually holds a certain appeal. He doesn't want to come back because of who he was. He wants to make it back because of who he is.
So could he possibly recapture any of that, at 36, after a three-plus-year absence? "I don't know that people know the shape he's in," says Hollins, who worked out with him between being released by the Memphis Grizzlies in late October and picked up by the Washington Wizards at the end of November. "He can still play a couple years in this league."
Two of Baron's former coaches, Mike Dunleavy and Paul Silas, are certain he still could contribute even without an ability to attack the rim. "He's one of the smartest players I've ever coached," Dunleavy says. "That part of the game is never leaving him. Because of his size you could also throw him down in the post, and he's a terrific ball-handler, has vision and can get you into your sets. I'd have no concerns about bringing him in as a third guard and mentor to the young guys."
The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Sean Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.
Marc J. Spears: D-League Raptors 905 forward Ronald Roberts is averaging 18.2 points & 12.4 rebounds. Source said a half dozen NBA teams showing interest.
Shams Charania: The Denver Nuggets plan to sign guard Sean Kilpatrick of D-League Delaware on a 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
New Orleans is now expected to consider several wing players for a 10-day contract, including free agent Elijah Millsap and and D-Leaguers Orlando Johnson and Bryce Dejean-Jones, sources told Yahoo. The loss of Pondexter will be a major blow to the Pelicans’ perimeter defense, which counted on his return to provide toughness and stability.
New Orleans is now expected to consider several wing players for a 10-day contract, including Elijah Millsap, Orlando Johnson and Bryce Dejean-Jones, sources told Yahoo. The loss of Pondexter will be a major blow to the Pelicans’ perimeter defense, which counted on his return to provide toughness and stability.
Shams Charania: The Phoenix Suns plan to sign guard Lorenzo Brown of Grand Rapids in the NBA D-League on 10-day contract, league sources tell Yahoo.
Marc J. Spears: The Grizzlies will open a roster spot for D-League Santa Cruz guard Elliot Williams by cutting center Ryan Hollins, source told Yahoo Sports
Marc J. Spears: Grizzlies expected to sign D-League Santa Cruz guard Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract, source said.
Martin Borg: Jody, honest question. Why would the Jazz not try Jimmer on a 10 day contract now? Not much to lose it would seem. Jody Genessy: If they had any interest in Jimmer, they would have selected him in the D-League draft.
NBA D-League: 10-day @NBA contracts can be signed starting Tuesday, coinciding w/ #DLeagueShowcase. Learn about our marquee event: http://on.nba.com/ShowcaseFAQ
The Knicks also have been monitoring the D-League for potential additions. They have an open roster spot so they can add a player without making a corresponding roster move. In light of Cleanthony Early's knee injury from Wednesday’s shooting, the Knicks may need to add someone ASAP. Jimmer Fredette of the Westchester Knicks is one candidate.
Adam Johnson: Vince Hunter is on NBA teams' radar w/ 10-day deals near: Season high 36 pts, 11 rebs, his league best 11th double double of the season.
Jorge Castillo: #Wizards make Jarell Eddie signing official. Ryan Hollins waived.
The Washington Wizards plan to sign sharpshooter Jarell Eddie from the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Wizards will waive center Ryan Hollins to create roster space for Eddie, but could re-sign Hollins later in the season, sources said. Hollins appeared in five games for Washington, averaging 9.6 minutes, 1.6 points and 2.2 rebounds.
Eddie is expected to sign a one-year, non-guaranteed deal. He’ll provide shooting and wing depth on a roster that has been ravaged by injuries, as Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Gary Neal and Alan Anderson remain sidelined.
Shams Charania: The Washington Wizards plan to sign sharpshooter Jarell Eddie of the Austin Spurs, waiving center Ryan Hollins, league sources tell Yahoo.
The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have recalled 6-1 guard Joe Young from their affiliate in the NBA’s Development League, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Young was assigned to Fort Wayne on Friday night and appeared in two games over the weekend for the Mad Ants. He had 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting and three assists in a 110-103 loss to the Iowa Energy on Saturday.
Jody Genessy: Interesting news tidbit: The Utah Jazz are considering re-signing point guard Toure' Murry from the Texas Legends, according to a source.
We talked to five players to learn more about life in the D-League and how that first call up went for them: Anthony Tolliver, Kelenna Azubuike, Keith Langford, Marqus Blakely and Elijah Millsap.
Millsap: “There was not really a special eye-opening moment when I made it to the Utah Jazz. I just felt I had been waiting for that moment for a long time and that I deserved it. I was like, ‘I’m here now, let’s do something special with this opportunity.'” Langford: “When making a decision about the D-League, you have to take into consideration how old you are vs. what your goal is. Anybody that’s younger than 25 and his goal is legitimately to be an NBA player should stay in the States and give it a try. Guys who are over 25 and with a goal of making money playing at a high level of competition, they should take the offers that are available to them (overseas). It all depends on where you fit.
Langford: “I played behind Ime Udoka and he was a consummate professional. He knew what he was doing. Sam Vincent, my coach in the D-League, was always telling me how I needed to follow what Ime was doing and learn from him. In my mind at that time, I was like, ‘I’m better than Ime, who is this guy?'” Tolliver: “Not getting called up my first two seasons in the D-League was frustrating, but it was also a motivation to stay hungry and keep working.”
Blakely: “The D-League was a good learning process. It’s not an easy league to play in when it comes to travel. Not as bad as it is overseas when you’re also away from home for a longer period of time, but getting to the games is more difficult and you’re not really getting paid as much as you could overseas. So it’s a sacrifice. But in my mind I knew it would eventually pay off.” Millsap: “It was tough at first end to pass on offers from Europe. That was in my mind. But money is just money and dreams are dreams. And my dream was to play in the NBA.”
The Phoenix Suns announced today they have signed free agent guard Bryce Cotton. The third GATORADE Call-Up in the NBA this season, Cotton has averaged 22.0 points on 58.7 percent shooting from the field, 61.9 percent from three-point territory and 91.3 percent from the free-throw line in four games with the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League.
