2024-25 NBA G League Season Preview
Our own Nathan Grubel previews the upcoming NBA G League season by offering updated information on current Two-Way players, as well as those to keep an eye on and potential G League assignments.
It’s not every day you get to read G League coverage here at No Ceilings!
I’m thankful to have an outlet to share coverage on a group of players who deserve more coverage.
Chances are, some of your favorite players you watch every night in the NBA spent some time during their careers in the G League. Originally the “D League”, the G League has been a developmental pathway for those without a roster spot in the league to cut their teeth and get reps against other professional players looking to break into the NBA.
While there’s been a lot of debate about how successful the G League has been in actually building a cohesive ecosystem for players to improve, I do believe in the basketball, coaching, and habitat that is the G League. We’ve had enough success stories to come out of it to ignore the league altogether.
The competition is no joke. Players are fighting to put dinner on the table for their families. Salaries in the G League are not nearly the same as they are in the NBA, or in the realm of comparibility unless you’re on a Two-Way contract.
But that’s what makes the G League such fun basketball to watch and evaluate. Elevated pace of play, different types of players and systems. There’s something for everyone when it comes to enjoying and appreciating G League basketball, and for those in the business, it's an opportunity for new clients and potential candidates for important roster spots.
Now we live in a time where EVERY NBA team has a G League organization, which is excellent because it validates the pathway for many to play and potentially earn an Exhibit 10 or even a Two-Way contract with the respective NBA club.
With that being said, it’s as important as ever to track these players and top performers to better understand what’s working in the G League, who could earn jobs in the NBA, and most importantly (for the sake of Youth Movement NBA) which young players on assignment are actually getting minutes and producing in said minutes at a level to where they are developing for the betterment of their respective NBA team?
During the season, I’ll be offering updates on each subset of players and examining lessons that we can learn when it comes to pro personnel scouting as well as draft scouting.
It’s important to keep in mind that as you’re looking at and reading some of the names discussed here and in future columns over the course of the season that most of these players were also one of the top performers on the teams they played for before their professional careers.
We generally have that in mind when it comes to pre-draft evaluation, as a role player who hasn’t exhibited traits and tendencies that could scale to higher usage roles doesn’t have a long track record of attaining a role in the NBA equivalent to that of a 20+ minute per game rotational standout. But the same can be said for those who haven’t been able to quite make it in the NBA up to this point.
The G League isn’t just a league filled with open tryout after open tryout. A lot of these players were incredibly successful in prior stops. It’s a fun data point to think about when evaluating draft prospects. Could this player actually take a job away from some of the best in the G League, let alone the NBA?
So, let’s dive into a number of players per G League team you can expect to see throughout the season!
One important note here regarding this very subject though, is that ALL of this information is subject to change. G League assignments, signings, etc. will change over the course of the year. Players will be called up to the NBA and immediately be sent back down. New contracts will be signed, players will be released and traded. Everything you’d expect from how an NBA organization would approach improving its roster applies to the G League subsidiary.
College Park Skyhawks (Atlanta Hawks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Kobe Bufkin
Two-Way Players
o Dominick Barlow
o Seth Lundy
o Keaton Wallace
Players To Watch
o Mo Gueye
o Daeqwon Plowden
The Atlanta Hawks are a tricky team to evaluate as currently constructed. On the one hand, Trae Young is at the helm of an offense that has the potential to rate very well, given how he can get others involved. Young building blocks like Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher have prominent roles in the rotation.
On the other hand, the Hawks rate near the bottom of the NBA defensively in a year where there’s optimism for many teams to turn their fortunes around in the draft.
Therefore, as I’ll write with a number of teams on this list, there’s opportunity for some players to get real run in Atlanta, but never a bad thing for young guys to get reps in a professional system such as the G League rather than sit at the end of the bench and rack up DNP’s depending on the night/situation.
Atlanta has some intriguing young talent, led by former Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin. Now, Bufkin is currently out with a shoulder injury that likely has him sidelined for an extended period. When healthy, he’s a dynamic offensive guard who can get his own shot from multiple levels. Bufkin has the scoring chops to put up big numbers in the G League, and he did last season for the College Park Skyhawks.
Currently, the Hawks have Keaton Wallace on a Two-Way contract, but he’s gotten some minutes early on with Bufkin out and has looked good doing so on both ends of the floor. Something to monitor if he gets converted to a standard contract at some point.
Dominick Barlow and Seth Lundy are the other Two-Way contracted players currently for Atlanta. Barlow is a skilled big man out of Overtime Elite who has solid touch on his jumper out to the free throw line area, and can also post up and score over his left shoulder.
Lundy came into the league after a phenomenal run at Penn State where he was a consistent shooter for the Nittany Lions. Built well and tough on the defensive side of the ball, he has an opportuity to carve out a similar role at the NBA level.
Keep an eye on Mo Gueye, a raw prospect out of Washington State who has had his fair share of moments for the Hawks in Summer League, as well as Daeqwon Plowden. Plowden is a multi-year G League vet who got some looks from scouts and executives this past Summer League where he lit it up from all over the floor for the Golden State Warriors.
Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Baylor Scheierman
o Jaden Springer
o Jordan Walsh
Two-Way Players
o JD Davison
o Drew Peterson
o Anton Watson
Players To Watch
o Tristan Enaruna
o Eric Gaines
o London Johnson
Speaking of a surplus of youthful talent, the franchise that captured another NBA championship AND saw its G League affiliate get to its respective title series in the same season, has more players in the pipeline to evaluate.
The Boston Celtics have a few guys that could spend some time down with the Maine Celtics in Jaden Springer and rookie Baylor Scheierman, given how tight the rotation is expected to be for a repeat contender barring multiple serious injuries.
The one player who is likely to play up in Boston for the year is Jordan Walsh. Walsh’s continued growth over the past year has gotten him rotation minutes already, and given his versatility on the defensive end he has enough merit to stick around so long as he’s not a complete dud from three-point range.
On Two-Way deals, JD Davison has had some nice stints with the Maine Celtics already in his young career (scored 21.5 PPG on 46% shooting from the field across the regular season and showcase last year), while Drew Peterson and Anton Watson look to fight for standard contracts.
Peterson was always an intriguing bet to earn an NBA job long-term during his time at USC as a bigger wing who could initiate offense and score over length. Watson did a lot of his damage in college as one of the more versatile chess pieces on the defensive board for Gonzaga. Watson covered any position or role he needed to, while improving his ball handling and ability to make plays for others within the offense.
Some players to watch include a pair of guards in Eric Gaines and London Johnson, both with room to develop long-term given their athleticism and ability to score in bunches. Gaines, in particular, was a standout for UAB last season in college, and Johnson comes from the Ignite program where he spent a few seasons working on his fundamentals as a guard and developing in a pro system.
Lastly, Tristan Enaruna comes from the Horizon League, where he handled the ball and looked to score as a 6’8” forward who could operate both from the perimeter as well as inside the arc at the elbows and in the high post. He’s a name to keep an eye on as the NBA continues to trend towards investing in bigger wings at his size that can handle the ball and score from multiple levels.
Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Jalen Wilson
o Keon Johnson
Two-Way Players
o Jaylen Martin
o Tyrese Martin
o Yongxi Cui
Players To Watch
o Dariq Whitehead
o Amari Bailey
o Kendall Brown
Jalen Wilson would’ve been on this list for certain last season, but he may be too good to have his name on here heading into a new year. After a fantastic G League campaign for Long Island where he scored effectively, rebounded well for his position, and dug more into his ability to make plays getting downhill, Wilson earned a significant role for the Brooklyn Nets in Summer League and was the Vegas tournament’s MVP. Wilson has put together some good outings already for Brooklyn, meaning his G League time may be done.
But the Nets have plenty of other young talent to watch in Long Island. Jaylen Martin has potential as a bouncy wing prospect who takes pride in his ability to get into the paint and finish. Tyrese Martin has spent multiple seasons in the G League, holding steady as a defensive-minded wing who can put the ball on the floor and create offense inside the arc with the threat to shoot from beyond it. And Yongxi Cui comes to the NBA by way of the CBA where he’s been known as an electric scorer and perimeter shooter. He’ll have chances to prove himself on a Two-Way deal.
Other names to watch that have prior pedigree include Dariq Whitehead, a top high school recruit who endured some injury struggles at Duke and early in his career, but he maintains the ability to score on line drives and shoot off spot-up looks. Amari Bailey was a talented freshman guard at UCLA before entering the draft and initially beginning his time in Charlotte before joining the Nets. Kendall Brown never quite found his footing with the Indiana Pacers but now has a chance to continue proving his game can translate at the next level with some minutes in Long Island.
Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Tidjane Salaun
o Nick Smith Jr.
Two-Way Players
o Moussa Diabate
o Jared Rhoden
o KJ Simpson
Players To Watch
o RaeQuan Battle
o Caleb McConnell
o Joel Soriano
I wouldn’t be completely surprised if we didn’t see the rookie Tidjane Salaun spend a ton of time down with the Greensboro Swarm, given how the Charlotte Hornets are trending. Since the NBA team is competing but unable to fully put it together on both sides of the ball, this could be a spot for younger players to get some more rotational shine as the season goes on. Salaun put on a show in Summer League that exhibited why he could be an asset sooner than later as an athletic floor spacer who can really get up off two and make some exciting plays defensively.
Nick Smith Jr., on the other hand, could use reps as a lead guard any way he can get them. We know he can put the ball in the basket from the outside, but continuing to develop his ability to read defenses and make decisions in short order could help him get on the floor in Charlotte.
Moussa Diabate has already gotten some run this year after coming over from the LA Clippers, and he has looked good as an energizer big off the bench. Jared Rhoden came into the league a few years ago out of Seton Hall as a defensive-minded forward who improved his shooting touch year over year in college. And KJ Simpson is on a Two-Way deal as a rookie guard out of Colorado who had some impressive scoring outputs in the Big 12 and looks to prove he’s as much of a table setter as he is a pure scorer at the next level.
A few others to keep tabs on would be scoring dynamo RaeQuan Battle, who had some serious heat-check performances last year with West Virginia, Caleb McConnell, who has bounced around a bit after his collegiate run at Rutgers as a defense-first combo guard, and big man Joel Soriano who had a great year at St. John’s as an enforcer big who can really clean the glass and battle down low. If Soriano can keep extending his range, given his touch around the basket, he could find an NBA opportunity as multiple teams look for skilled size in rotations.
Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Julian Phillips
o Dalen Terry
Two-Way Players
o EJ Liddell
o Adama Sanogo
o DJ Steward
Players To Watch
o Marcus Domask
Chicago is in an intriguing spot, as the Bulls aren’t quite bad enough to slide down the standings as presently constructed while also having some good young talent waiting for minutes opportunities.
Rookie Matas Buzelis should see his year spent at the NBA level, as his game fits the style of play that the Bulls need to exhibit in terms of toughness on the glass and transition scoring.
Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry, on the other hand, could see some time spent in the G League—even with both getting some minutes here and there early in the season. Both are athletic wings who aren’t yet reliable outside shooters but offer some punch off the bounce and can set up others in secondary and tertiary creator roles—not to mention both are nasty perimeter defenders who move their feet well and compete with length and quickness.
On Two-Way contracts, EJ Liddell and Adama Sanogo are interesting frontcourt names to monitor for potential contract conversions. Sanogo, in particular, could really help the Bulls off the bench more nights than not as an enforcer on the boards and underrated shot blocker and scorer on the low block.
In the backcourt, DJ Steward and Marcus Domask could both find themselves getting buckets in bunches for the Windy City Bulls in different ways. Steward is a guy who likes to use the threat of his jumper to set up open lanes and pull-up opportunities, while Domask did most of his damage last season inside the arc at Illinois as a mismatch scorer both in the post and working from the elbows. Domask did improve as a shooter over multiple seasons in college, and if he’s able to shoot with consistency from NBA range he could find himself in a different situation come February and March.
Cleveland Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Jaylon Tyson
Two-Way Players
o Emoni Bates
o JT Thor
o Luke Travers
Players To Watch
o Pete Nance
o Nae’Qwan Tomlin
o Jules Bernard
Jaylon Tyson is a candidate to get some G League run, given how deep the Cleveland Cavaliers have proven to be along with the early returns on the season, but I’m skeptical of that being true. Tyson was a very underrated wing prospect last year at Cal as someone who embodies the principles of dribble, pass, shoot—and given he was already an older player, there’s room for him to still earn minutes with the Cavaliers and provide another element offensively on the wing in pinches off the bench.
There are still some options on the wing, though, for the Cleveland Charge, with Two-Way signees Emoni Bates and Luke Travers. Travers has spent his time in the NBL but has come over to the NBA for this season. He has an interesting game as a dribble-drive wing who has worked to improve his jumper. Bates is just a flat-out scorer. A bucket-getter of the highest order in the G League, Bates can fill it up from deep in a hurry.
JT Thor didn’t see the most fruitful of returns from his time in Charlotte, but he comes to Cleveland with the intent of working out of his Two-Way deal onto a standard contract. A stretch big who can handle a bit in transition, Thor still has upside to tap into, given he was one of the youngest players when he came into the league.
I will have an eye on two more frontcourt players in Pete Nance, brother of Larry Nance Jr., and Nae’Qwan Tomlin who finished his college run with Memphis and did so in excellent fashion after some off-court concerns. A raw, athletic forward who can really get up and protect the rim, Tomlin’s offensive game has elements of face-up scoring with the ability to space the floor. Few players have me as intrigued to monitor in the G League than Tomlin.
Texas Legends (Dallas Mavericks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Two-Way Players
o Kessler Edwards
o Jazian Gortman
o Brandon Williams
Players To Watch
o Teafale Lenard
o Emanuel Miller
o Jamarion Sharp
There’s a fun collection of talent with the Texas Legends, starting with forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who was a noteworthy prospect out of Marquette who performed well during the NBA Draft Combine a few years ago. A 6’8” wing who can handle a bit and shoot from the corners, Prosper still has the opportunity to earn a spot up with the Dallas Mavericks if the defense and jump shot develop to the level he’s capable of.
On Two-Way deals, Kessler Edwards, Jazian Gortman, and Brandon Williams all have chances to earn standard NBA deals this season and beyond. Edwards and Gortman, in particular, continue to maintain a place in my notebook for different reasons. Edwards has been a pretty good defender during any minutes he’s gotten in NBA settings, and Gortman, another Overtime Elite product, is as smooth of a scoring guard as you’ll find in the G League. He can start, stop, and shoot with the best of them, and should fill it up this year.
Emanuel Miller would be another name to call out as a player to watch for a call-up. The older brother of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Leonard Miller, Emanuel could prove he’s worth a team taking a flyer on him, given his ability to defend, rebound for his position, and create scoring opportunities in the middle of the floor. Jamarion Sharp is one of the tallest players in the G League at 7’5”, and I’ll be interested to watch him in that setting, given the best big men generally don’t stick around all year long due to the need for skilled size at the NBA level.
Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Jalen Pickett
Two-Way Players
o Trey Alexander
o PJ Hall
o Spencer Jones
Players To Watch
o Charles Bediako
o Will Richardson
o Jaylin Williams
Jalen Pickett hasn’t had as great of a start to his NBA career as he may have expected, but I still buy into his future as a professional guard. A triple-double threat who has plenty of experience running offenses in pick-and-roll, Pickett is at his best with the ball in his hands when he’s the one pulling the strings. If he can keep improving as a spot-up shooter, it would go a long way in getting some real run with the Denver Nuggets. He’ll likely have opportunities to prove himself in Grand Rapids.
Others to monitor include some Two-Way contract standouts in Trey Alexander out of Creighton, PJ Hall out of Clemson, and Spencer Jones from Stanford. I’m a fan of all three players in that they could all earn roles and opportunities in the NBA. Alexander is a crafty combo guard who really took steps forward as a three-point shooter later in his college career. Hall was billed as a stretch big but didn’t quite live up to that reputation last season. If he can find the jumper, he’s athletic enough and plays hard to warrant looks at the next level. Jones has faced some injury concerns in recent memory but possesses good size for a wing and a lights-out jump shot from deep. If he’s healthy, he could really improve his professional standing quickly.
One more name to really call out to keep an eye on would be Jaylin Williams out of Auburn. He was one of my favorite scoring prospects out of college last year, and even though he’s an older prospect, he could really find an NBA opportunity if he keeps shooting it the way he’s capable of.
Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Ron Holland
o Bobi Klintman
Two-Way Players
o Daniss Jenkins
o Cole Swider
o Alondes Williams
Players To Watch
o Aaron Estrada
o Dereon Seabron
o Tolu Smith
o Lamar Stevens
Another team that could be in a precarious situation in a few months time, as of now the Detroit Pistons have been a pleasant NBA story. After a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in which the team controlled the game from start to finish, Pistons fans have to be pleased with some of the early changes made in the rotation. New additions Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. are providing the offensive punch and spacing Cade Cunningham needs to be successful. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren are taking sizeable leaps, particularly Ivey, this year. There’s a lot to like from this team’s overall effort and willingness to buy into what JB Bickerstaff is selling.
That makes it tough to project Ron Holland’s NBA minutes. He’s made an impact already both on the defensive glass and pushing the pace in transition, and he has the nonstop motor to impact the game defensively. After a season with the Ignite where he was the team’s best per-minute scorer, would more reps as a top option be good for him in the G League, or is he better served by spending as much time as possible with the Pistons?
We’ll have to see what comes of both he and Bobi Klintman across both levels. In terms of Two-Way signees, both Daniss Jenkins and Alondes Williams have NBA futures in their own right and could really pile up both points and assists with the Motor City Cruise. Both should form one of the best backcourts in the G League.
Tolu Smith has a say in possibly playing himself into an elevated contract as an underrated rim-protecting forward with excellent touch around the basket. He’s a strong, sturdy big man who should be able to make an impact in the G League.
Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Gui Santos
Two-Way Players
o Reece Beekman
o Quinten Post
o Pat Spencer
Players To Watch
o Blake Hinson
o Jackson Rowe
o Javan Johnson
For a team that has had all of the shooting over a dynastic run, the Golden State Warriors haven’t backed down off the stance of finding more young shooters that have the skill to play at the NBA level.
Gui Santos has played his fair share of G League basketball and may have graduated to a consistent bench role with the Warriors, but some other Two-Way contracted players will bring plenty of experience and strong habits to Santa Cruz.
Reece Beekman has flashed potential for years at Virginia as a steady-paced point guard who has a knack for finding teammates at the right time, while rebounding well for his spot and putting other guards in a cage defensively. Quinten Post was one of the best shooting centers in the draft last cycle, and he should elevate to a standard contract with enough reps and production. Also Pat Spencer, brother of Cam Spencer, put himself on notice this past Summer League as another creative scoring guard with touch from the outside. A deceptively good athlete, Spencer has plenty of decision-making chops to lean on in a G League role.
Other shooters to monitor with the Santa Cruz Warriors include Blake Hinson, who put on a shooting clinic at the California Classic this past summer playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Jackson Rowe, who played some good two-way minutes in that same Summer League run.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Reed Sheppard
o Cam Whitmore
Two-Way Players
o N’Faly Dante
o Jack McVeigh
o Jeenathan Williams
Players To Watch
o Kevin Cross
o Nate Hinton
The Houston Rockets are another pleasant surprise in the early NBA season, having not just the top-end talent to compete in the Western Conference, but depth in all the right spots to contend for a playoff berth.
That means that both Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore could see some run with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to stay fresh and ready for some later season action with the Rockets. I would grade both to be good enough to earn consistent rotation minutes in Houston, but don’t be shocked if both end up on assignment from time to time in the G League.
Some Two-Way names to keep tabs on are N’Faly Dante out of Oregon and Jeenathan Williams who has been in the G League for a few years from Buffalo. Dante, in particular, is another talented center who endured injuries in Eugene but remained healthy and productive last year for the Ducks. He has a massive presence on the floor, swats away any shots that come close to the rim and runs the floor better than you’d expect, given his size. Williams is a tough-as-nails guard/wing who has steadily improved as a shooter and ball handler in the halfcourt. He can give opposing players fits defensively, and his offensive game on the rise should continue to get him NBA looks.
One player I want to see at the G League level is Kevin Cross. He popped on tape at times at Tulane as a do-it-all forward who could make plays out of the post, score over his shoulder, rebound, and even stretch the floor a bit. He’s an undersized forward at the NBA level, but he has the type of skill to warrant looks for a contract.
Indiana Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Johnny Furphy
Two-Way Players
o Enrique Freeman
o Quenton Jackson
o Tristen Newton
Players To Watch
o Justin Moore
o Jahlil Okafor
I’m not sure if Johnny Furphy is ready for NBA minutes quite yet, as he was an inconsistent defender at Kansas last year, but he’s the type of exciting young wing who could put up some highlights in short order with the Mad Ants.
Add in his ability to hit shots both off the catch and on the move, and the 6’9” wing could play himself into some late-season opportunities with the Pacers. Certainly a prospect for the future.
Enrique Freeman and Tristen Newton were two players I had second-round grades on last cycle, and should pop as Two-Way contract standouts in the G League. Freeman is a face-up forward who is very comfortable putting the ball on the deck and creating opportunities for himself at the basket while flying around everywhere on defense. And Newton is the definition of a triple-double threat at the guard position who did everything for repeat champion UConn. Both are experienced and could prove valuable in their current spots.
While not exactly a player who fits the Youth Movement criteria, Jahlil Okafor is a fascinating reclamation story after spending years overseas working on his body and his shooting touch from outside. He can legitimately hit shots from three-point range, and I’ll be curious to see if his per-minute production in the G League earns him an NBA job at some point this season.
San Diego Clippers (LA Clippers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Kobe Brown
o Cam Christie
Two-Way Players
o Trentyn Flowers
o Kai Jones
o Jordan Miller
Players To Watch
o Tosan Evbuomwan
o RayJ Dennis
Once again, I’m campaigning for Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller to get real run and opportunities with the LA Clippers.
If that doesn’t happen, both are experienced scoring wings who will stuff the stat sheet in Ontario, California. Brown is a smooth face-up forward who can hit step-back looks off the bounce and get himself easy buckets around the basket. Miller, on the other hand, is a slasher who consistently generates paint touches, free throw opportunites, and second-chance points off his misses or his teammates. Both are very talented with enough run at this point to play quality NBA minutes if given the chance.
Other young players who will see time this season in the G League include Cam Christie and Trentyn Flowers, both seen to have upside given their size, age, and shooting touch from the outside. Flowers spent last year in the NBL, and while he didn’t get a consistent opportunity overseas, he put on some eye-opening performances in the NBA Draft Combine for scouts and executives to buy in on him as a second-round prospect. And Christie, brother of Los Angeles Lakers wing Max Christie, had a very underrated year at Minnesota as a shooting specialist who showed more game getting downhill and defending on the wing as the college season went on.
Finally, both Tosan Evbuomwan and RayJ Dennis intrigue me as long-term NBA talents. Evbuomwan was the story of the NCAA Tournament a few years ago during his run with the Princeton Tigers, and Dennis had a solid campaign after transferring to Baylor. They play different positions, but they provide value thanks to their craft, toughness, and willingness to make plays for others on both ends.
South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Bronny James
Two-Way Players
o Christian Koloko
o Quincy Olivari
o Armel Traore
Players To Watch
o Alex Fudge
o Jalen Hood-Schifino
o Maxwell Lewis
o Vicent Valerio-Bodon
All eyes will be on Bronny James when it comes to the South Bay Lakers, and rightfully so. Whether he becomes a consistent NBA player or not remains to be seen, but he will get plenty of reps in the G League to develop his handle, perimeter shot, and playmaking vision. A defensive-minded guard, James has some work to do but is in a good place to do it.
Christian Koloko is back playing basketball at the professional level on a Two-Way deal that should see him getting minutes in South Bay and, hopefully, plenty of time up in Los Angeles. Exciting to see him back in the game after a health scare kept him sidelined in Toronto.
Other Two-Way contract players for the Lakers include Quincy Olivari out of Xavier, a lethal outside shooter who made his bones in the preseason, and a fellow teammate of Victor Wembanyama in France, Armel Traore. Traore comes over stateside on a Two-Way deal with plenty of room for growth offensively. During the preseason, Traore was valuable as a switch big who could stunt, recover, and protect the rim. An athletic finisher in transition, Traore’s development could skyrocket if he figures out how to shoot from the NBA three-point line.
I remain infatuated with Maxwell Lewis as an upside play. While he didn’t deliver consistently this past Summer League, his first game with the Lakers in the California Classic made a lot of people interested in where his game could go with proper development. A long, talented wing prospect who can break open games defensively by playing passing lanes and pushing the pace off defensive rebounds, eyes will be on Lewis to further develop his jump shot and develop rhythm and confidence off the dribble.
Finally, Jalen Hood-Schifino did not see his third-year option picked up this past week by the Lakers, but that doesn’t mean his NBA journey is over. A 6’6” combo guard who can really fill it up in the midrange, Hood-Schifino still has time to figure out his game from a defensive perspective while hopefully limiting turnovers and creating more opportunities for his teammates in the G League. He had a very productive year with South Bay last season, averaging 22 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.5 APG on efficient shooting splits. I don’t see why that would change this time around.
Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Jaylen Wells
Two-Way Players
o Colin Castleton
o Yuki Kawamura
o Cam Spencer
Players To Watch
o David Johnson
o Miles Norris
o Malachi Smith
After a hot start to the NBA season shooting the basketball, Jaylen Wells may spend most of his season with the Memphis Grizzlies as opposed to in the G League with the Hustle. The plus-sized wing prospect can score on very, very few dribbles making him a valuable asset next to passing maestros like Ja Morant and Scotty Pippen Jr.
Cam Spencer is the most notable Two-Way contracted player for the Grizzlies, as he most certainly had his hand in delivering a championship to UConn last season. While not the eye-popping athlete compared to others in the NBA, Spencer’s understanding of how to approach offense and his spatial awareness provide him opportuninites to both work off other talented ball handlers and make plays on his own in a pinch. Spencer just knows how to play the game at a high level, and plus shooters get opportunities in today’s NBA.
A surprising Two-Way signing was Yuki Kawamura out of Japan. The 5’8” guard is one of the smallest players in the NBA, but he plays far bigger than his size. He’s a crafty downhill guard who does well setting up alley-oops and kick-out opportunities. And Colin Castleton is a solid big to have in the Hustle system ready to potentially convert on a standard deal should the Grizzlies need any frontcourt support.
Others to watch include David Johnson, the former Louisville combo guard, and Miles Norris, who came to the NBA from UC Santa Barbara as a talented face-up scoring forward who can put the ball on the deck and find ways to score around the basket.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Pelle Larsson
o Kel’el Ware
Two-Way Players
o Josh Christopher
o Keshad Johnson
o Dru Smith
Players To Watch
o Nassir Little
o Zyon Pullin
o Bryson Warren
I’m excited to watch Sioux Falls for a number of reasons, most notably because the Skyforce is likely to have some DUDES.
If Pelle Larsson and Kel’el Ware get some run with the Skyforce, this could be one heck of a G League squad to possibly contend for a title. Both were undervalued college prospects for different reasons, and they have already flashed high-level talent in Summer League—particularly Ware, who looked outright dominant at times in Las Vegas.
Keshad Johnson out of Arizona should provide real toughness and physicality defensively and on the glass with soft touch around the basket. Josh Christopher has been a hard-working bucket since his time at Arizona State, and he continues to hunt for a standard NBA contract. Some other noteworthy names to keep an eye on include Zyon Pullin out of Florida, and Bryson Warren, who originally spent time with Overtime Elite before going the route of the G League. A 6’4” point guard who plays at a great pace and has gained confidence from the perimeter with Sioux Falls, Warren is still very early in his overall development and remains a prospect to monitor moving forward.
Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o AJ Johnson
o Tyler Smith
o Chris Livingston
Two-Way Players
o Liam Robbins
o Ryan Rollins
o Stanley Umude
Players To Watch
o Ibou Badji
A number of eyebrows were raised this past draft when the Milwaukee Bucks took AJ Johnson out of the NBL with a first round pick. Previously a highly touted high school prospect, Johnson decided to take his game to the Australian league and didn’t see the return on investment he likely expected from a statistical standpoint. Still, the experience provided Johnson with an opportunity to test himself against experienced competition on a nightly basis and learn the habits of other pros. I’m willing to bet he’s going to benefit from the season long-term, as he had some real moments already for the Bucks in Las Vegas over the summer. Watch for what he’s likely to do with G League minutes for the Wisconsin Herd.
Milwaukee’s other prominent draft pick, Tyler Smith from the Ignite, is likely to find himself back in the G League to polish up other elements of his game outside of his jump shot. With room to grow as a defender in space and passer in the halfcourt, Smith is a solid long-term bet as a 6’10” stretch forward who can help protect the rim and push the pace in transition. Chris Livingston will also likely get run with the Herd as a power wing who has shown some flashes in certain small-ball lineup constructions, given his strength and ability to rise off two and play the ball defensively.
One player who hasn’t gotten much of any buzz due to some injuries has been Liam Robbins, the former Vanderbilt big man. Robbins is huge, standing over 7’ tall with a massive wingspan, and plays with physicality on the interior. While not the most mobile big man, Robbins was incredibly productive in college and is someone who could graduate from a Two-Way contract again, given the need for bigs with skill around the NBA.
Iowa Wolves (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Rob Dillingham
o Leonard Miller
o Josh Minott
o Terrence Shannon Jr.
Two-Way Players
o Jaylen Clark
o Jesse Edwards
o Daishen Nix
Players To Watch
o Trevor Keels
o Jaedon LeDee
o Mike Miles
Another squad I’m incredibly excited to watch this upcoming G League season is the Iowa Wolves, just based on the sheer amount of talent likely to suit up at different points throughout the year.
If this early season stretch is any indication of what’s to come, then Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon may find more minutes in Iowa than in Minnesota. And that may not be a bad thing, as Dillingham continues to add weight and muscle while rounding out his fiery offensive game. Shannon has the physical tools to play in the NBA now, but due to the depth and position the Timberwolves are in from a contention standpoint, it could be better for him to play rather than just get a few minutes here and there.
Leonard Miller and Josh Minott are two head-scratchers for me, as they’re in a position where they both could help the Timberwolves on the interior but haven’t quite broken out into NBA roles due to turnover concerns and a lack of a reliable jump shot from both parties. Still, both are very young and have the size, length, and motor that NBA teams look for from combo forwards.
Jaylen Clark was a UCLA wing who was quite the defensive standout before a pre-draft injury kept him sidelined last season. I’ll be intrigued to see how he continues to round out his game in Iowa. Jesse Edwards and Daishen Nix both had productive summer runs in Las Vegas, meaning I’m expecting more of the same in the G League.
Also, both Trevor Keels and Jaedon LeDee are guys to monitor for future NBA opportunities. Keels still has plenty of room to grow in terms of his ball-handling ability and shooting skill on the wing, while LeDee was as productive of a per-minute player in college basketball for San Diego State as you could find despite being on the older side with an almost-exclusive offensive game inside the arc.
Birmingham Squadron (New Orleans Pelicans)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Karlo Matkovic
o Antonio Reeves
Two-Way Players
o Brandon Boston Jr
o Jamal Cain
o Trey Jemison
Players To Watch
o Adonis Arms
o Keion Brooks
o Izaiah Brockington
I’ll still be surprised if we don’t see more of Antonio Reeves with the New Orleans Pelicans. I’m aware he’s a tad redundant given how well Jordan Hawkins is playing in a similar role, but Reeves was one of the most productive movement shooters in all of college basketball last season at Kentucky, and you can never have enough shooting in the NBA.
Brandon Boston Jr. on a Two-Way contract is a great value play, as the wing scorer still remains quite the bucket as he’s further rounded out his offensive game over the years. The Pelicans will be looking to see if he can add anything for the team deep off the bench, especially given the current injury woes with a number of wings out at the moment.
Trey Jemison hung around last season for the Memphis Grizzlies as a diamond in the rough at the center position. While not the most vertical center on the floor, Jemison is a LOAD on the block, as one of the stronger 6’11” big men who operates well when scoring in the post and matching up against other traditional bigs on defense. Jemison has a path to getting a contract bump in New Orleans, given the lack of depth at the position.
Adonis Arms had quite the G League run last year, and he had some awesome games in Summer League in July. The former Texas Tech guard didn’t spend his entire collegiate career in D-I, as he fought through the JUCO ranks to get to where he is today. Don’t count him out from getting on an NBA deal before his pro career is over. I love his fight, intensity, and pull-up scoring game.
Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Tyler Kolek
o Pacome Dadiet
o Ariel Hukporti
Two-Way Players
o Kevin McCullar
o Jacob Toppin
Players To Watch
o Damion Baugh
All three of Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti could see minutes with the Westchester Knicks by no fault of their own in terms of not seeing the floor each night with the New York Knicks.
The Knicks are as deep of a team as any in the NBA, and considering the expectations of a potential championship on the horizon, along with the fact that Tom Thibodeau historically doesn’t lean on rookies and keeps a tight rotation, all three could benefit from run in the G League. Kolek is the most polished of the three to play NBA minutes, but he could help bring along Dadiet who has a ton of talent in his own right as a 6’9” wing with a beautiful mid-range pull-up game.
Hukporti signed an NBA deal this past week and is needed right now on the frontline, with the injury keeping Mitchell Robinson potentially sidelined till calendar year 2025. A tough big out of the NBL, Hukporti’s size and ability to deter and block shots around the basket could offer some real defensive support behind Karl-Anthony Towns, who hasn’t exactly been known for his defense throughout his career.
If Kevin McCullar can recover from injury, he’s an excellent candidate to produce at the G League level. McCullar took real steps forward at Kansas last year as a secondary creator, clutch pull-up shooter, and all-around defender. The Knicks could use him on the wing long-term.
Oklahoma City Blue (OKC Thunder)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Dillon Jones
Two-Way Players
o Alex Ducas
o Adam Flagler
o Ajay Mitchell
Players To Watch
o Malevy Leons
The defending champion Oklahoma City Blue squad is in an interesting spot this year, as most of the team’s relied-upon depth has graduated to the NBA level, which is great for the organization as a whole!
I’d expect Dillon Jones to spend some time with the Blue at different points throughout the season, and he’s the type of engine that could make a team go in the G League. An undersized forward who can act as a defensive playmaker and point guard, Jones is as unique of a player as you’ll find in professional basketball. There’s room for him to develop as a shooter, but if he does, it will be difficult for the Thunder to keep him too far down the bench later in the season.
Ajay Mitchell has been quite a surprise standout both in Summer League and even through the preseason and early regular season action with the Thunder. The 6’3” guard from UC Santa Barbara has plenty of game in his bag as an at-the-rim scorer who can finish at tough angles and through contact. He plays the defensive glass well, can generate assists off paint touches, and has even been starting to shoot it a bit from the outside at the NBA level. I wouldn’t expect him to stay on a Two-Way deal for long, as his early play looks like it’s going to warrant a standard deal in short order.
Keep eyes on Adam Flager and Malevy Leons long-term in the Blue organization. Flagler remains one of my favorite G League guards out of Baylor, as he’s shifty as all hell with confidence and shooting chops for days. Leons is a great story from lower-level basketball who developed into a face-up wing having started his career as a traditional big man. Leons is the type of developmental story worth tracking as the season progresses, and I’ll most certainly have more words on him at a later point.
Osceola Magic (Orlando Magic)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Tristan Da Silva
o Caleb Houstan
Two-Way Players
o Mac McClung
o Trevelin Queen
Players To Watch
o Jalen Slawson
o Javonte Smart
o Ethan Thompson
A few months ago I would’ve thought for sure that Tristan Da Silva, despite how talented he is as a big wing, would’ve spent time primarily with the Osceola Magic this year. He was an older prospect coming into the league out of Colorado, but Orlando is such a deep team competing for a playoff spot in the East to where it becomes tough to find minutes for rookies down the bench.
An injury to Paolo Banchero, however, might be changing things for the young forward. Already productive in early minutes following a very good summer run in Las Vegas, Da Silva now seemingly has a path to get a spot in the rotation and hold onto it given what he gives the Magic from a switchability and secondary playmaking standpoint along with some timely shot making.
Caleb Houstan has a chance this year to prove he’s worth the Magic further investing in him as the type of shooter he was projected to be coming out of Michigan. Da Silva and Jett Howard are eating into his opportunities, but should Houstan shoot well in the G League and one or both stumble, Houstan could have a chance to reclaim some of his stock as a shooting specialist at the NBA level.
A deep cut to monitor with the Osceola Magic is Ethan Thompson, the former Oregon State guard. Thompson went bananas in Summer League as a combo scorer who seemingly did whatever he wanted inside the arc. Making plays, hitting contested shots, helping on the offensive glass. Thompson did a little bit of everything offensively, and he could be one to get on a Two-Way deal before the year is over.
Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Jared McCain
o Adem Bona
Two-Way Players
o Jeff Dowtin
o Justin Edwards
o Lester Quinones
Players To Watch
o Marcus Bagley
o Judah Mintz
o Isaiah Mobley
o Vonterius Woolbright
Jared McCain has a higher floor than some may expect as an NBA rookie, given how good of a shooter he is, but the 76ers aren’t necessarily in a position to willingly give rotational minutes to either of its rookies in McCain or Adem Bona, given sky-high title expectations.
That being said, McCain and Bona should have bright futures in Philadelphia as young talents to keep fresh in the G League with one of the best organizations around in the Delaware Blue Coats. Each season, Philly has done well in identifying talent to bring into Delaware, and this season’s projected roster is also no joke. Two-Way contract studs in Jeff Dowtin, former Kentucky wing Justin Edwards, and sharpshooter Lester Quinones all are capable of going for 20+ on any given night and should stuff the stat sheet for the Blue Coats.
Marcus Bagley was once a great recruit in his own right at Arizona State. The brother of Marvin Bagley, Marcus was seen as a stretch forward who could really get hot from the corners before injuries and lack of development zapped away his prior draft stock. I’ll be curious to see if he can pop back on NBA radars with a good run in Delaware.
Judah Mintz and Isaiah Mobley are two excellent bets to take on a G League roster. Mintz was a very successful scoring guard at Syracuse the past two seasons who also doubles as a steals artist in the backcourt. Mobley had a productive college career at USC before coming into the NBA, and still has potential as a dribble, pass, and shoot big man.
One interesting player to monitor: Vonterious Woolbright. A jack-of-all-trades at Western Carolina after a JUCO start to his career, Woolbright put up some awesome highlights while nearly averaging 21 PPG and 10 RPG as a 6’5” guard. Very productive player who could find an NBA future if the jump shot ever comes around for him, he’s going to be an energizer in Delaware in the backcourt.
Valley Suns (Phoenix Suns)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Oso Ighodaro
Two-Way Players
o Jalen Bridges
o Collin Gillespie
o TyTy Washington
Players To Watch
o Jaden Shackelford
After a hot shooting start on the year, I wouldn’t expect Ryan Dunn to spend too much time in the G League with the Valley Suns. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be talent to watch!
Oso Ighodaro should get some minutes down there to help set up the offense and play meaningful defense protecting the rim and swtching in certain schemes. Jalen Bridges was a favorite shooter of mine last season at Baylor, and he could stand to get some reps doing more with the ball in his hands in the G League as a playmaker. Collin Gillespie has plenty of experience at this point and could form an excellent table-setting tandem with TyTy Washington in the Valley.
Both Gillespie and Washington score the ball in different ways, but have had G League stretches of brilliance. Obviously there are defensive concerns with both of them sharing the floor at the same time, but Washington is very capable of playing off another guard offensively as a shooter off the bounce.
If those two guards weren’t enough in terms of firepower, I still like Jaden Shackelford as a G League option in the backcourt. The former Alabama guard got some great run in prior seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue, and he should bring some solid pro experience to Phoenix’s G League organization in its first season.
Rip City Remix (Portland Trail Blazers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Kris Murray
o Rayan Rupert
Two-Way Players
o Bryce McGowens
o Justin Minaya
o Taze Moore
Players To Watch
o Thierry Darlan
At some point, the Portland Trail Blazers are likely to trade off some veteran pieces to make room in the rotation for young talents like Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert. Both have found some minutes already (and haven’t played poorly in those stretches), so there’s a chance neither finds their way into the Rip City Remix rotation.
That just means more shots and opportunities for Two-Way contracted wing Bryce McGowens. While he hasn’t quite stuck on an NBA roster yet, McGowens is still so, so young with the natural scoring game to get downhill, earn chances at the line, and the ability to finish up and around defenders in the paint with the best of them. Lack of outside shooting and overall shot selection have deterred him from more usage on an NBA floor, but perhaps he can get back on track with a second chance in Portland.
Watch out for Thierry Darlan, whom the Remix selected with the #4 pick in the 2024-25 G League Draft. Darlan spent time last season in the Ignite program, and couldn’t quite break out in a big way. Still, the 6’8” wing has the physical tools NBA teams look for nowadays, and there’s upside to be found if he can polish his outside shot and bring more intensity on the defensive end.
Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Colby Jones
o Orlando Robinson
Two-Way Players
o Isaiah Crawford
o Isaac Jones
o Mason Jones
Players To Watch
o Antoine Davis
o Boogie Ellis
o Drew Timme
What are the Sacramento Kings going to do this season? There’s young talent to be found in Stockton, with players on standard and Two-Way deals, but the depth in Sacramento just feels lacking. The Kings are a top-heavy roster with seven true guys; there’s competition for the last two to three spots taking place. Could some answers be found down the bench rather than through trade?
Devin Carter is recovering from a pre-draft injury, and he should be back some time in the next couple of months. Orlando Robinson also hasn’t been able to find the floor yet due to an injury, only further hindering Sacramento’s depth.
Colby Jones has played some productive NBA minutes early in his career, but hasn’t quite separated himself as a rotational asset. He’s likely to spend time in Stockton, where his talent will benefit everyone around him. Jones knows how to get downhill and set up others in pick-and-roll, and boy, does he know how to get on the defensive glass and get others going. He’s another jack-of-all-trades who could use a slight boost in his shooting volume.
Stockton also has a number of guys on Two-Way and G League deals to watch for future NBA opportunities as well. I’m high on all of Isaiah Crawford, Isaac Jones, and Mason Jones for different reasons. Crawford’s defensive ability could be excellent for a squad in the Kings that needs any help it can get on the perimeter. Jones has an old-school post-up game but flashed some exciting flushes off two feet on lobs at the Portsmouth Invitational. There’s more to his game than meets the eye. Also, Mason Jones has been a lethal scorer in the G League for a few seasons now, with virtually no one else matching his efficiency at great volume.
One more guy: Boogie Ellis. Once at Memphis who then transferred to USC, Ellis impressed scouts at the NBA Draft Combine and should be able to find the NBA floor one of these days as an absolute bucket who has a quick release and parking lot range.
Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Sidy Cissoko
o Blake Wesley
Two-Way Players
o David Duke Jr
o Harrison Ingram
o Riley Minix
Players To Watch
o Jamaree Bouyea
o Jameer Nelson Jr
Something tells me that the young San Antonio Spurs are going to get into the playoff race this season. Maybe not; maybe everything doesn’t go the way I foresee. But there’s a lot of talent behind Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul, especially when Devin Vassell comes back.
Blake Wesley has already gotten minutes behind Malaki Branham primarily for his ability to defend both guard spots and excel in transition, but he still hasn’t quite rounded out his game to play consistent minutes every night in San Antonio. He’ll get his reps with the Austin Spurs for sure, but there’s a chance he can stick most of the season up with the big boys.
Sidy Cissoko still needs his time to develop. Without a reliable shot and some inconsistent decision-making, the flashes will only be flashes. Still, if he can put together more on offense, he has all of the tools to go out and guard the other team’s best wings defensively: quick feet, length, and enough toughness to body up opponents.
On Two-Way deals, both Harrison Ingram and Riley Minix possess buzz for different reasons. Ingram really improved his offensive game at UNC last year after some inconsistent results at best on that side of the ball at Stanford. He’s always been a guy who can make plays out of the post and defend multiple spots, but an improved jump shot and better conditioning can really change his trajectory. Minix, on the other hand, is viewed as a shooting specialist who is tractor-strong to hold his own on the glass and the block. A more unique forward, Minix didn’t pop on scouting radars until around the middle of the last draft cycle. He has an awesome backstory and deserves an NBA shot.
Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Ja’Kobe Walter
o Jonathan Mogbo
o Jamal Shead
Two-Way Players
o Jamison Battle
o DJ Carton
o Ulrich Chomche
Players To Watch
o Branden Carlson
o Dylan Disu
I actually believe Ja’Kobe Walter could provide the Toronto Raptors with some real value on the wing as a movement shooter who has the length to disrupt defensively. Where I’m struggling to figure out his evaluation from a Raptors vs. Raptors 905 standpoint is how redundant of a player he is at this moment in comparison to Ochai Agbaji.
Agbaji is having a great season of his own after not being able to break out with the Utah Jazz, and both play virtually the same role on the floor. I’m in on Walter long-term, but getting some reps with the 905 squad might not be the worst to offer him some more opportunities with the ball in his hands and give him extended run to explore the studio space.
Other young standouts, Jonathan Mogbo and Jamal Shead, are actually tearing it up in their early minutes, so they might not spend time with the 905 crew at all. When some guys get healthy, and if the Raptors do find a way to be more competitive in a play-in race, that could change. As of now, though, Mogbo’s defensive versatility and Shead’s point-of-attack defense and playmaking could be too good to not utilize often off the bench.
Speaking of impact, Jamison Battle could very well get a contract upgrade in short order if he keeps shooting the ball like he has early in the year. He’s not on the floor for much else, but he’s had a few strong outings from the perimeter, and the Raptors need all of the floor spacing they can get—similar to the case for Walter to still get minutes.
Ulrich Chomche was one of the youngest players in this prior draft class, so I would expect him to get some featured minutes as a big man with the Raptors 905. A center out of Cameroon, Chomche comes way of the NBA Academy in Africa oozing with potential as an athletic rim protector who can handle and shoot the ball a bit offensively. Still rough around the edges, the vision with Chomche is clear in terms of what he could become.
DJ Carton, Branden Carlson, and Dylan Disu also all have my attention from an evaluation standpoint. Carton has had a productive G League career now over multiple seasons as a balanced guard who can both score and distribute, Carlson has a future as a stretch center who may really be able to shoot it, and Disu was a productive forward out of Texas known for his penchant for double-doubles.
Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Isaiah Collier
o Kyle Filipowski
o Cody Williams
Two-Way Players
o Micah Potter
o Jason Preston
o Oscar Tshiebwe
Players To Watch
o Max Abmas
o Taevion Kinsey
o Justin Lewis
o Babacar Sane
o Isaiah Wong
I’m not quite sure how to project the Utah Jazz moving forward. In the last few seasons, the Jazz started off the year overperforming poor projections and then eventually finding room close to the bottom of the lottery. This year, however, they’ve been one of the worst teams both on tape and by the numbers. What does that mean for a stable of talented young players?
Isaiah Collier should return from a hamstring injury soon, and I would expect Utah to want to get a look at him against NBA-level competition. Cody Williams has already gotten starting minutes under his belt, and Kyle Filipowski has actually been a good option off the bench for the Jazz. A month ago, I would’ve said all three were very likely to spend real time with the Salt Lake City Stars just based on the sheer number of bodies up for rotational opportunities. Now, I’m not so sure, given the start. Something to definitely monitor.
What I can say is there are a number of guys down the Stars roster that could all have moments vying for a Two-Way or standard contract. Jason Preston and Oscar Tshiebwe are both capable of holding their own on offense and on the boards, respectively, meaning they could have defined NBA roles. Max Abmas has parking lot range on his jump shot and was an underrated, efficient scoring guard near the end of his college career. Justin Lewis couldn’t stick in Chicago but still is one of the younger forwards in the G League with defensive upside. Both Babacar Sane and Isaiah Wong also have NBA promise for different reasons.
I’ll be watching plenty of Stars games to see who could break through, as again, there is LOADS of pro talent here.
Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
o Johnny Davis
Two-Way Players
o Jared Butler
o Justin Champagnie
o Tristan Vukcevic
Players To Watch
o Leaky Black
o John Butler
o Michael Foster Jr
o Taylor Funk
All of the buzz surrounding the Washington Wizards organization is with the NBA franchise, and rightfully so. The rookie trio of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George have gotten off to promising starts, and Bilal Coulibaly is taking a seemingly significant leap forward in his development.
That means that none of those guys are likely to be with the Capital City Go-Go this year, and that’s probably better for them, anyways. Let young guys get reps next to proven vets, work through mistakes, and figure out the game at their own pace.
Johnny Davis might not be on this team in a few months, or he could become a G League leading scorer with the Go-Go. I’m not sure which outcome is more likely to happen, but Davis’s story has been quite the sad one over the last few seasons. With changes to his jump shot mechanics reverting to more of what he was comfortable with in college, I’m hoping Davis can find his footing and stick somewhere as he still plays his tail off defensively and competes every play.
All of Jared Butler, Tristan Vukcevic, and Justin Champagnie can hoop at the NBA level, and they are likely candidates to perform well in the G League for another season. Vukcevic could still get burn with the Wizards before all is said and done, he just hasn’t seen much of the floor yet. Butler is a hard-nosed guard with one of the best handles in the G League and can really get hot from deep if he gets the touches. And Champagnie just plays like an asshole every time he gets on the floor: the type of guy you want in your locker room rebounding the ball, fighting in the post, cutting for easy lobs, and converting looks at the basket in the halfcourt.
Watch out for others like former UNC wing Leaky Black, Michael Foster Jr, and Taylor Funk with the Go-Go, as all have had moments in the G League prior and should play different roles to better balance the team.
Mexico City Capitanes
Players To Watch
o Dink Pate
o Greg Brown III
o David Jones
A draft prospect in the G League?? Without the Ignite program?? Yes, folks, don’t forget about Dink Pate!
A jumbo-sized creator at 6’8”, Pate has one of the highest ceilings in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Everyone has focused on the start of the college season, and rightfully so. However, Pate has the type of game very similar to what Egor Demin is currently doing at BYU to the degree that one could start to really ponder where he fits into the picture come June. He has a lot to figure out from an efficiency standpoint, but few players can drop dimes like he can at his size. A leap as an on-ball scorer and more effort defensively would be welcome additions to his scouting report.
Last but not least, Greg Brown III and David Jones are both athletic forwards who thrive on easy looks at the basket, and, in Jones’s case, he can get downhill on his own and play some bully ball to get to the free throw line. Both could really fill up the box score for the Mexico City Capatanes, and I’ll be watching the growth of all three players heading into February and March.
One of my favorite types of articles and where No Ceilings crew shines imo. Developing overlooked talent is such an advantage when done well. With the league deeper than ever, it was noteworthy / spot on to see how many times “LOADS of talent here” was written. Can’t wait to watch.
Big Knicks fan here- I think we will see a lot of Ty Warren, Chuma Okeke, and Boo Buie— along with Dadiet and Baugh. Knicks are not deep at the NBA level now, and Kolek and Hukporti are sorta needed to fill the back end of the rotation