2025-26 NBA G League Season Guide
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.
Welcome to the first NBA G League piece of content for the 2025-26 NBA season 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 comparability, 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 different 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, 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 among 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
Asa Newell
Keaton Wallace
Two-Way Players
Caleb Houstan
Eli Ndiaye
Jacob Toppin
Players To Watch
N’Faly Dante
Nikola Djurisic
Kobe Johnson
The Atlanta Hawks still have a nice stable of young talent that extends beyond established starters in Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher.
2025 draft pick Asa Newell has a future with this squad as a combination 4/5, and he’s likely to get some chances to continue rounding out his game in College Park. An athletic finisher with good hands and feet, Newell has upside with his outside jumper, and he can find even more opportunities to score if he can make better use of shot fakes to pull his man out to the perimeter so he can drive by and finish at the rim.
Keaton Wallace earned a standard NBA contract, and for good reason. Having spent last season in Atlanta’s G League system, Wallace has proven himself ready to take on third guard duties for longer stints in Atlanta. The older brother of Cason Wallace, Keaton has nice touch from the perimeter and pick-and-roll chops to make plays for others. He’s a nice complementary ball handler to have behind Trae Young and Dyson Daniels, as he can play alongside both of them as well as Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Caleb Houstan has already had some moments early in the season as a three-point sharpshooter for the Hawks, and is still young enough to keep rounding out the rest of his game in College Park. Houstan can attack defenses on a straight line drive, but developing that connective passing to serve as more than just a spot-up shooter could do him well in landing himself a standard deal. Jacob Toppin is also on a Two-Way deal, and has been a productive player in the G League for multiple seasons. A combo forward who has gotten better at putting the ball on the floor and shooting from three, Toppin stands as one of the best players on that type of deal around the league.
Keep an eye on N’Faly Dante as one of the first players to get back on a Two-Way at some point this season. The former Oregon big man looked good in preseason minutes for the Hawks, and he has been productive in his prior stint within the Houston Rockets organization with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Dante isn’t flashy, but he’s strong under the basket, rebounds at a high level, and can get up off two feet to block shots and protect the rim. He has the talent to serve as a backup big man on an NBA bench.
Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Hugo Gonzalez
Baylor Scheierman
Two-Way Players
Ron Harper Jr.
Max Shulga
Amari Williams
Players To Watch
Jalen Bridges
Kendall Brown
R.J. Luis
Stefan Todorovic
Hugo Gonzalez hasn’t asserted himself offensively quite yet in limited minutes for the Boston Celtics, but man, has he been active on defense. The Spanish wing has an incredible motor and instincts to create deflections and get his hand on the ball. Gonzalez is active roaming on defense and loves to challenge players at the rim. Even on the ball, opposing players don’t have it easy trying to get around him. Just ask the Philadelphia 76ers about that one.
Baylor Scheierman hasn’t fully gotten his chance to shine in the league just yet, but he’s built to produce in a big way in the G League. A combo guard who can create his own shots beyond the arc and can set up others, Scheierman has real offensive upside in the NBA if he can continue to improve defensively and find a role on that end of the floor.
Two players from the 2025 NBA Draft class are currently on Two-Way deals with the Celtics in Max Shulga and Amari Williams. Both were analytics darlings just one draft cycle ago, and should pop with more minutes in Maine. Shulga is a rugged combo guard who improved as a playmaker during his time at VCU. A legitimately lethal shooter off the catch and off movement, Shulga could really help his chances of getting more NBA run by improving his efficiency inside the arc and putting pressure on the rim more often.
Williams, on the other hand, was one of the most fun big men to watch in college basketball last season. The 6’11” center transferred to Kentucky from Drexel, and showcased his defensive activity in the SEC. An eager shot blocker and a better defender in space than given credit for, Williams is sharp as a processor on both ends. Offensively, he can handle the ball in transition and even make plays out of the short roll in the halfcourt. If he can prove himself as a scorer in some fashion, he could end up as a late-season surprise on the back end of Boston’s rotation.
One player I still haven’t given up on as an NBA wing is Jalen Bridges. The 6’8” shooter had a great college career as a tough rebounder, reliable spot-up scorer, and active defender. While Bridges doesn’t have the ball skills of someone who is looked to as far as making plays is concerned, he can attack the basket on a line drive and finish through contact. There’s a “3-and-D” type of role for Bridges if he can show some quicker decision-making and ball movement.
Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Nolan Traore
Ben Saraf
Danny Wolf
Drake Powell
Two-Way Players
Tyson Etienne
E.J. Liddell
Players To Watch
Grant Nelson
The Long Island Nets could wind up seeing a parade of 2025 draft picks come through, depending on what Brooklyn’s strategy is this season.
We know this organization is looking ahead towards the 2026 lottery, which is what makes this year so interesting. Under normal circumstances, a team wouldn’t even think about rostering five first-round picks and actually playing them all extended minutes as rookies. If the Nets want to lose games, though, having the point guard room headed by first-year talents isn’t the worst of ideas.
So while all of Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, and Ben Saraf could benefit from more opportunities on the ball in the G League, they may not have to go somewhere else on assignment to get the reps they need to develop. The only rookie I feel confident will see time in Long Island is Drake Powell. Powell has already seen time on the court with Brooklyn, but his offensive game is far from making a real impact in the NBA. Having some more freedom to polish his ball handling and spot-up shooting could benefit him in a sophomore campaign.
One player to watch for is Grant Nelson. The former Alabama standout has the athletic tools to play in the league if he can find some sort of role on defense. Nelson is a tweener between different spots as a forward. He’s not necessarily quick enough laterally to keep up with wings on a consistent basis, but he’s not the strongest when battling down low with larger matchups either. Where he pops the most is on offense as a transition lob threat and streaky shooter. Nelson had some scoring outbursts in the SEC, and he could very well have some big nights in the G League.
Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Liam McNeeley
Tidjane Salaun
Two-Way Players
Drew Peterson
Antonio Reeves
K.J. Simpson
Players To Watch
Eric Dixon
Jonas Aidoo
I’ve been supremely impressed with the rookie class in Charlotte. The Hornets are currently playing all of Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James extended minutes. I watched Liam McNeeley drop dimes against the Miami Heat and show off his touted shooting touch.
I do think McNeeley could benefit from some time in the G League as a jumbo creator. That’s the role he showed some intriguing flashes in during his freshman season at UConn. Improving as a driver and figuring out better ways to attack defenders and draw fouls could help him leverage more of his creativity as a passer getting downhill at the NBA level. I have all the confidence that he can shoot the ball at a high level, given his consistent mechanics and comfort level getting shots up in quick order. But if McNeeley can keep growing in other areas with the ball in his hands and on defense? He could become a valuable piece for Charlotte down the road.
Tidjane Salaun was recently assigned to Greensboro, and the move makes sense. Miles Bridges soaks up a lot of minutes at the forward spot, and this team has wanted to play smaller and/or bigger at different times by running double bigs or slotting someone like Knueppel or even James up the lineup. Salaun has had moments as a play finisher, but still has to adjust to the speed of the pro game from a decision standpoint. Sometimes the game moves quicker than he does, so getting him as many minutes as possible while also feeding him opportunities to create and explore the studio space would do him some good next season and beyond.
Past those two, the Swarm have a few of my favorite Two-Way contract talents in KJ Simpson and Drew Peterson. Simpson was a highly productive guard at Colorado who showed off some impressive pull-up scoring ability inside the arc during Summer League. Peterson has a lot of craft as a 6’8” creator who is comfortable handling the ball and making plays for others. If he’s a consistent threat from beyond the arc, there’s still an NBA future for him yet.
One other player to monitor is Eric Dixon. The Villanova forward was a supernova in the scoring column every night for the Wildcats last season in college. He can really shoot from the outside, and he can bully mismatches on his way to the basket. Dixon doesn’t have a position defensively, but seeing improvements on that end in the G League, along with continued progression as a shooter/rebounder, could get him a Two-Way deal in short order within a few months of play.
Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Noa Essengue
Two-Way Players
Trentyn Flowers
Emanuel Miller
Lachlan Olbrich
Players To Watch
Wooga Poplar
Noa Essengue was an intriguing pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2025 NBA Draft. He has a long way to go in terms of his physical development, but Essengue plays hard and can draw fouls like few other players his age can. He competes on defense, and he is steadily improving as an outside shooter. Giving him as many reps as possible in the G League feels like an easy call, and he could have some massive outings for the Windy City Bulls.
Trentyn Flowers is the other young callout to make within Chicago’s G League system, as he’s a point forward archetype who has a knack for getting to the basket and creating pull-up jumpers for himself inside the arc. His vision is questionable at times, and he has the propensity to make some poor turnovers, but Flowers is still incredibly young with plenty of upside due to his length, athletic profile, and willingness to play hard and attack.
Wooga Poplar gets a quick shout here, as he has real talent as a combo scoring guard. The 6’4” former Miami and Villanova product can get hot in a hurry, and has the type of bounce that coaches love in guards who look to attack and get downhill. He never quite put his game together in terms of taking care of the ball while looking for others at the same time, but the G League is a great place for him to get touches and work on running an offense.
Cleveland Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Craig Porter Jr.
Tyrese Proctor
Two-Way Players
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
Luke Travers
Chris Livingston
Players To Watch
Tristan Enaruna
Norchad Omier
Jax Robinson
One rookie who has already played some quality NBA minutes is Tyrese Proctor. The combo guard out of Duke is a shooter’s shooter, and he has experience running an offense and playing out of pick-and-roll. His defense is also a great calling card of his, particularly on the ball. If Proctor can get some looks as a primary decision maker in the G League to bring out more of that latent skill set for down the road, it may very well be worth giving him some run with the Cleveland Charge at different points this season.
I remain bullish on the talent of Nae’Qwan Tomlin. He’s produced very well in prior G League stints, and he was one of my standout performers from this year’s Summer League. The stretch forward has really worked on putting the ball on the floor and creating good looks at the rim. He’s an athletic shot blocker, transition lob threat, and looks much improved as a spot-up shooter. There’s a lot of talent to work with in regard to Tomlin if he can continue to improve as a connective passer and ball mover.
Luke Travers and Chris Livingston are also on Two-Way deals with the Cavaliers, and either one could break onto a standard deal to provide Cleveland with some more depth on the wing. Travers has been much better throughout his career on offense, while Livingston is a tough-nosed defender who can rebound but has never quite figured out where he fits in offensively. Whichever of the two figures out more of where they fit in on the other side of the ball could get their contracts upgraded.
I like a few of Cleveland’s other G Leaguers, too. Norchad Omier is a small-ball five who LIVES on the offensive glass, has the length to swat shots away at the basket, and just knows where to be in terms of screening, boxing out, and doing the little things on both ends. He’s not the size of a traditional big, but he plays like one and is very intelligent. Jax Robinson was a shooting prospect at multiple colleges, including Kentucky, and has nights where he just looks the part of an NBA marksman. Robinson can work off screens and handle in a pinch. If he can improve as a team defender, there’s certainly a path for him to get on a Two-Way deal before the end of this season.
Texas Legends (Dallas Mavericks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
N/A
Two-Way Players
Moussa Cisse
Miles Kelley
Ryan Nembhard
Players To Watch
Mark Armstrong
Matthew Cleveland
Matt Cross
I’ll be interested to see whether Ryan Nembhard spends a lot of time in the G League or not. He’s on a Two-Way deal, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see some other moves made by the Dallas Mavericks and his contract be upgraded at some point in the year. Dallas needs more point guard play, and it doesn’t benefit the team to have Nembhard rolling out for the Texas Legends rather than spending his time with Dallas.
Miles Kelley has some real scoring/shooting punch as a dynamic pull-up player, as he showed in college at Georgia Tech and Auburn. When Kelley gets hot, he gets HOT. It’s tough to knock him out of his rhythm, as he’s willing to fire from DEEP beyond the three-point line. He isn’t a great playmaker, but he should get plenty of touches to develop some better passing instincts in the G League.
One other name I’ll be paying attention to is Matthew Cleveland. He always showed promise as a mid-range scorer at Miami, but never quite broke out as a reliable three-point shooter in a complementary role. Now that his full-time job is basketball, I’ll be curious to see if that part of his game can improve, as he has some underrated defensive chops in covering multiple positions.
Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Jalen Pickett
Hunter Tyson
DaRon Holmes II
Two-Way Players
Tamar Bates
Curtis Jones
Spencer Jones
Players To Watch
Wesley Cardet
Coleman Hawkins
Four main names to watch for in terms of who could spend the most productive time with the Grand Rapids Gold: Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson, DaRon Holmes, and Spencer Jones.
Both Pickett and Tyson are on standard NBA deals, but they also haven’t become rotational mainstays with the Denver Nuggets. Pickett has a mature on-ball game that he’s been able to show at the NBA level, but could still use more opportunities as a shooter to prove he has a role off the ball as well.
Tyson hasn’t proven he has enough defensive chops to actually stay on an NBA floor, and has a lot of work to do on that end in order to stick. But if the shot is legit, and he puts on a show in the G League while also working on his ground coverage and defensive coordination away from the basket, there’s a chance he could win back over the front office and get some deep bench minutes with Denver.
The players I like the most out of this group are Jones and Holmes. Jones has played sparingly for Denver but has looked good in his minutes. He can legitimately guard both forward positions, and he has even guarded some NBA centers in the post. He’s a strong-framed forward who can hold his own down low, on the glass, and he can shoot the living crap out of the ball. Jones is also a smart cutter and mover without the basketball. He’s not a dynamic athlete, but he’s reliable and sturdy. Jones is better than being on a Two-Way contract, look for him to get upgraded at some point this season.
Holmes has had to spend time recovering from an injury that kept him sidelined over the last year. He got some action in Summer League for the Nuggets, and looked good in his minutes as a stretch big who could provide outside shooting while also being a presence defending the rim and blocking shots. That type of offensive look would benefit Denver off the bench long term, but getting him minutes in the G League could benefit him as well. There’s more to Holmes to unlock as he gets his legs back under him, including a post-up arsenal and face-up attack against mismatches. I’ll be watching to see how he progresses defensively as well.
Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Bobi Klintman
Chaz Lanier
Two-Way Players
Daniss Jenkins
Tolu Smith
Colby Jones
Players To Watch
Dawson Garcia
Brice Williams
Bobi Klintman hasn’t gotten a lot of opportunities with the Detroit Pistons, but I’m still intrigued with how good he could become. The 6’9” Swedish forward can cover multiple positions and shoot from the outside. He’s never quite been the best at taking his man off the dribble or finishing a straight line-drive attack, but if he can improve as a ball-handler, there’s a real argument to get him out on the floor as a combo forward.
Chaz Lanier was one of the best movement shooters in college basketball last season at Tennessee, and could wind up filling an obvious hole for the Pistons as the year progresses. I’m still in the camp of getting Lanier some G League reps as a lead ball handler, though, in order to tighten up some aspects of his game when the ball is swung around to him and he can’t immediately get a shot up. If Lanier can put the ball on the floor and make a quick read off attacking a closeout or working a ball screen, it would go a long way in getting him on the floor in Detroit.
Colby Jones has bounced around a few spots now in the NBA, but he’s still a sharp 6’5” wing who can dribble, pass, and shoot. The jumper hasn’t quite been up to the level it was billed as coming out of college, and he’s a bit of a tweener defensively. But Jones makes great decisions, has good hands, and really fights to do the little things—including crashing the offensive glass. He’s made to put up big numbers in the box scores in the G League, so I’d expect him to pop back onto some radars once the Motor City Cruise get going on the court.
One more guy I’m keeping an eye on is Brice Williams. The 6’7” wing sharpshooter was one of the most dynamic pull-up scorers in college basketball last season. There are some real concerns about whether he can hold his own defensively against quicker matchups on the perimeter at the NBA level, but he may wind up being too valuable a microwave scorer to keep on a deal any lesser than a Two-Way.
Subscribe to NoCeilings on YouTube:
Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Will Richard
Two-Way Players
Jackson Rowe
Pat Spencer
Alex Toohey
Players To Watch
L.J. Cryer
Jacksen Moni
Will Richard made some noise during the first few games of the season for the Golden State Warriors. The 6’4” guard is a national champion after his spectacular season last year with the Florida Gators, and he knows what it takes to win. He plays hard defensively, fights on the glass, and has nights where he can really get hot from beyond the arc. I’d like to see him spend a bit of time in the G League soaking up some usage and seeing how far he can push the boundaries of his on-ball game.
Alex Toohey comes over to the United States by way of the NBL, and he has an intriguing game to keep an eye on. Toohey is a big wing who can shoot, and he is still working on the other elements of his game offensively. He’s shown flashes as a ball-handler and passer, but more time in the G League to round out the rest of his game, while also working to see where he fits in defensively, could benefit him and his potential future in the NBA.
Two guys who aren’t currently on Two-Way deals with the Warriors to keep an eye on are LJ Cryer and Jacksen Moni. In Cryer’s case, he’s a small guard who LOVES to shoot the heck out of the rock. Cryer has made so many big shots during his college career at Baylor and Houston, and has the type of game that can really cook in the G League. Moni was a mid-major darling last year at North Dakota State, as a funky jumbo ball handler who could really shoot the rock but doesn’t quite have a home defensively due to some lateral mobility and flexibility issues. Still, Moni can attack defenses, pass, and shoot. At 6’10”, that kind of skill set always has a chance to impress the right NBA decision-maker.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Reed Sheppard
Two-Way Players
Isaiah Crawford
JD Davison
Kevon Harris
Players To Watch
Ricky Council IV
Tyrese Hunter
Cam Matthews
I’ll be fascinated to see if Reed Sheppard spends some time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The Houston Rockets are counting on Sheppard to be a full-time lead guard in some capacity, whether that’s as a starter or the first guy off the bench. Sheppard’s play has been a mixed bag in the NBA, but he’s thrived in Summer League and in the few stints he’s completed in the G League. I wouldn’t BET on him spending time with the Vipers, but keep an eye on that situation.
JD Davison was another guard who was brought in on a Two-Way deal to try to help with the backcourt issues in Houston. The Rockets, as of right now, are handling the absence of Fred Van Vleet just fine offensively, but it doesn’t hurt to have multiple ball handlers waiting in the wings. Davison is a G League MVP and deserves his shot in the NBA, especially if he can continue to shoot from three off the catch like he did in the preseason.
Isaiah Crawford is also on a Two-Way deal with the Rockets, coming over from the Sacramento Kings. Crawford is LONG, and very disruptive on the glass and in passing lanes as a defender. If he can keep shooting it from deep consistently, I wouldn’t rule out the Rockets potentially upgrading him to a standard deal.
Two other names for the Vipers are Tyrese Hunter and Cam Matthews. Matthews in particular fits Houston’s defensive identity as a brusing forward who can guard multiple positions, including swallowing up guard drivers on the perimeter. Hunter has always had potential as a scoring guard in college, but never quite put together all of his talent over the course of a full season. I’ll be watching to see if he can string together extended stretches of shooting, playmaking, and defense.
Noblesville Boom (Indiana Pacers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Johnny Furphy
Two-Way Players
RayJ Dennis
Quenton Jackson
Taelon Peter
Players To Watch
Steven Ashworth
Jalen Slawson
Consider me a firm believer in the talent of Johnny Furphy.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Johnny Furphy is known for his ridiculous slam dunks. But there’s more to Furphy than meets the eye. He’s an underrated defender, a fiery competitor on the boards, and someone who can really shoot it off the catch from the outside. Furphy even knows how to time his cuts to find easy finishes at the rim. As a transition wing who has plenty of utility in the halfcourt, Furphy’s game continues to grow in meaningful ways. Should he spend some time in the G League, I’d expect him to put up numbers in bunches.
Quenton Jackson and Taelon Peter have both played some good minutes already with the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. Jackson recently got hurt, but Peter has been a revelation since his draft-night surprise at the end of the second round. A guard out of Liberty who was a relative unknown throughout the pre-draft process, Peter has looked great as a spot-up shooter, an on-ball defender in the backcourt, and a willing playmaker. Peter is fearless, which is the exact kind of energy Indiana needs without Tyrese Haliburton.
One more guard to monitor within the Boom system is Steve Ashworth. The veteran college guard was a wizard with the basketball at Creighton last year, and he is the exact type of guard who thrives in the G League. He’s a dominant assist-to-turnover playmaker, a reliable outside shooter, and a scrappy defender in the backcourt. I’d expect him to entertain some serious interest from clubs overseas after a few months of G League action.
San Diego Clippers (LA Clippers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Two-Way Players
Jordan Miller
Kobe Sanders
Jahmyl Telfort
Players To Watch
Jaelen House
John Poulakidas
TyTy Washington
The LA Clippers do not play a lot of youngsters within the standard rotation, and for good reason. This squad is DEEP with established veteran talent, so unfortunately, a lot of the recent draft selections and Two-Way signees end up riding the bench until the G League season starts.
Thankfully, there’s some fun talent to watch in San Diego, starting with recent picks Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Kobe Sanders. Niederhauser was a rapid riser up draft boards during the 2025 cycle as a 7-footer who compares to Jaxson Hayes. An athletic lob catcher on the break and pogo-stick shot blocker, Niederhauser has some work to do with his fundamentals as a defender. If he can limit his fouls committed and prove useful in different pick-and-roll schemes, he could wind up being one of the big men of the future for the Clippers.
Sanders is a big wing who spent a lot of time handling the ball in pick-and-roll last year at Nevada. Sanders stands at 6’9” and can see over defenders to deliver crisp passes and score on the perimeter. He has some question marks as a defender and mid-range scorer, but there’s some real upside in having a player who is as good on the ball as he is at his size.
Our guy Corey Tulaba has long been a fan of John Poulakidas, a former Yale sharpshooter who compares to a player in the mold of Luke Kennard. Poulakidas has good size as a guard, can shoot it any way you want it, and is an underrated secondary playmaker. If he truly is a nuclear shooter, don’t rule out the possibility of him upgrading to a Two-Way contract this year.
South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Bronny James
Dalton Knecht
Adou Thiero
Two-Way Players
Christian Koloko
Chris Manon
Nick Smith Jr.
Players To Watch
R.J. Davis
Arthur Kaluma
Augustas Marciulionis
Drew Timme
Anton Watson
The Los Angeles Lakers have PLENTY of young talent in the building that will spend time with the main team and with South Bay. Both Bronny James and Dalton Knecht could see extended stretches with the G League Lakers to improve their ball-handling and decision-making getting downhill. They can knock down spot-up jumpers in the league, but both could stand to get more reps on the ball.
Adou Thiero is a powerful, electric athlete on the wing who spent a lot of time improving the skill aspects of his game at Arkansas. On his best nights in college last year, Thiero got into the paint at will and showed off a variety of spins, jukes, and even some awesome kick-out passes to open shooters. He’s still developing as a scorer from the outside himself, but don’t underestimate 6’8” athletes who can create paint touches out of thin air.
Nick Smith Jr. just had the game of his life for the Lakers, and could benefit everyone else on the G League roster by doing what he does best: shooting the ball off the bounce at a high level. Smith has a ton of gravity as a shooter, and he is taking steps each season to improve as a passer and on-ball defender. The more reps he can get to continue developing, the brighter his potential NBA future becomes.
Past the Two-Way contracts for the Lakers, there are several players I have an eye on. RJ Davis is a willing pull-up shooter and underrated pick-and-roll playmaker who won some big games at North Carolina. Arthur Kaluma is a powerful combo forward with great footwork around the basket, mid-range touch, and can cover ground defensively. My guy Maxwell Baumbach’s favorite guard you haven’t heard of is Augustas Marciulionis. You SHOULD know who he is because he will end up being one of the best pick-and-roll guards in the G League this season. Also, Drew Timme and Anton Watson seem like G League mainstays who do a lot of dirty work, can move the ball, and will finish at a high level off plays created by the talented guards on this roster.
Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
GG Jackson
Two-Way Players
PJ Hall
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Javon Small
Players To Watch
Jahmai Mashack
I’m still wondering if GG Jackson is going to put it all together with the Memphis Grizzlies, or if he’s destined to find a home elsewhere. I’m not sure how much time he’s going to spend up with the Grizzlies when healthy, so it’s fairly reasonable to expect him to get some time with the Hustle. Any reps Jackson can get with the ball in his hands would benefit his NBA future, not to mention continuing to work on his communication and effectiveness defensively.
PJ Hall has to be one of my favorite big men who will spend some time in the G League this season. The 6’10” center out of Clemson has flashed shooting ability in college, is sturdy, and really makes life difficult for others on the glass. He’s the exact type of productive big that Memphis values bringing in.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper never found his footing with the Dallas Mavericks, but he has already played some quality minutes this season with the Grizzlies. Prosper needs to find that one skill that’s signature to him. He’s been a master of none for a few seasons now, but he’s found some comfort in Memphis cutting and finishing off quick drives to the basket. Prosper knows how to defend, but finding his role offensively is important this year—whether it happens with the Grizzlies or Hustle.
Javon Small has a future with the Grizzlies as a backup guard. I spotlighted him before the 2025 draft as the exact type of prospect who goes on to be a productive role player in the NBA, and I stand by it. He’s a positive playmaker, spot-up shooter, pesky defender, and just knows where to be without the basketball. Small impacts the game whether his shot goes in or not.
Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Kasparas Jakucionis
Keshad Johnson
Two-Way Players
Myron Gardner
Vladislav Goldin
Jahmir Young
Players To Watch
Dain Dainja
Trevor Keels
Steve Settle
Ethan Thompson
All of my attention will primarily be on two standard contract youngsters who are destined to spend time in Sioux Falls. Kasparas Jakucionis is a rookie point guard who had a lot of buzz last season at Illinois before falling to Miami later in the first round. At 6’6”, Jakucionis is a steady pick-and-roll playmaker who is still finding his groove as a scoring threat. He’s tough and competes defensively, so if Kasparas can find that shooting stroke he displayed flashes of during Summer League, he’ll be a long-term answer in the backcourt for Miami.
Keshad Johnson was on a Two-Way deal for the Heat last year before being upgraded to a standard contract. Johnson is a 6’6” combo wing who can guard multiple positions, rebound well, and is one of those power athletes who loves to posterize other players. Johnson has a relentless motor and a nose for the ball defensively. Don’t be surprised if he ends up playing more minutes for the Heat than the Skyforce this season.
Outside of those two, I’m watching out for Vlad Goldin. Goldin spent last season at Michigan and stood out to me there as well as in Summer League. He’s a STRONG 7-footer who is a better mover than he’s given credit for being. He’s a solid screener, rebounder, and can finish on the interior. There’s always room for bigs who can move, play with a hot motor, and do all of the things that are required from an interior presence. Goldin should be able to play his way onto a standard deal with Sioux Falls either this year or next.
Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Andre Jackson Jr.
Two-Way Players
Alex Antetokounmpo
Pete Nance
Mark Sears
Players To Watch
Kira Lewis
Johnny Davis
Admittedly, there isn’t a lot of interesting young talent within the Milwaukee Bucks organization that will spend time with the Wisconsin Herd. The best prospect on the Bucks, Ryan Rollins, is in the middle of a massive breakout and could end up pushing for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award by season’s end.
Andre Jackson has been a mainstay at the end of Milwaukee’s bench for a few seasons now, and I’m interested to see if he’s assigned at all to the Herd if he continues not to log consistent NBA minutes. An athletic wing defender who can handle the ball and make plays for others, Jackson just hasn’t been able to shoot well enough or offer much of a scoring threat to justify playing extended minutes in the league.
Mark Sears and Pete Nance are solid guys to have on Two-Way deals, as both bring experience from winning situations and could even find success playing off one another. Sears is a microwave bucket in the backcourt who can find others out of pick-and-roll. Nance lives on the glass and gets most of his production off hustle plays with some threes sprinkled in. I’m not sure if either will get upgraded to a standard deal this season, but they’re the main draws as far as potential standouts are concerned for the Herd.
Iowa Wolves (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Joan Beringer
Johnny Juzang
Two-Way Players
Enrique Freeman
Johnny Juzang
Rocco Zikarsky
Players To Watch
Tristen Newton
Zyon Pullin
Nate Santos
Joan Beringer took Summer League by storm in Las Vegas as a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete at the center position. He finished lobs and swatted away shot attempts like CRAZY during his minutes with the Minnesota Timberwolves. I wouldn’t expect Beringer to play extended minutes for a team that’s looking to make an NBA Finals run, but he could put up some wicked highlights for the Iowa Wolves in the G League. Keep an eye on his growth as an all-around defensive big man and interior finisher.
Johnny Juzang was upgraded to a standard deal recently, but that doesn’t mean he won’t spend some time in Iowa. The wing scorer has become a much better shooter off the catch and has relied less on getting into the midrange and making tough shots. He’s also improved some on the defensive end, so he could wind up being one of the best players in the G League, depending on how much time he spends with the Wolves.
Two signees who are on Two-Way deals I’m intrigued by are Enrique Freeman and recent draftee Rocco Zikarsky. Zikarsky, in particular, is a massive human being who comes by way of the NBL. He has some shooting touch he’s continuing to expand on, and deters drivers on defense by default due to his massive 7’2” frame. He’s a bit clumsy in terms of catching the ball and actually turning with it to score, but if he can work on his hands and footwork down low, there’s a potential NBA future for him.
Freeman, on the other hand, came into the league on a Two-Way deal with the Indiana Pacers as a dirty work forward who was improving as a face-up driver and spot-up shooter. During the preseason, I saw Freeman look more comfortable spacing from the corners, which would help his case as an NBA player. IF his jump shot is legitimate, there’s an argument to be made to get him on a standard deal as a relentless rebounder and help defender who can also hit catch-and-shoot looks.
Birmingham Squadron (New Orleans Pelicans)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Micah Peavy
Two-Way Players
Trey Alexander
Hunter Dickinson
Bryce McGowens
Players To Watch
Keion Brooks
Jalon Moore
Chase Hunter
Given the recent performances of both Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, I wouldn’t bank on either player to spend time with Birmingham in the G League. Both were lottery picks, and the front office is relying on them to deliver results that fend off the criticism of the moves that led up to those selections being made.
Micah Peavy, however, could see some time in the G to flesh out more of his on-ball game as a wing. The 6’7” playmaker had an excellent season last year at Georgetown, and was one of the most consistent players in the Big East. If he can shoot the ball well enough from the outside, his ability to make quick passes, rebound, and defend multiple positions could set him up for a long career as a role player in the NBA.
Trey Alexander was one of the best overall guards in the G League last season, and he will have more chances to keep developing as a lead option with the Squadron. The 6’4” guard has great length, and he can really bother opponents on the perimeter. He’s never been a consistent three-point threat, but has some craft inside the arc and knows how to get to the free-throw line.
I’d keep an eye on two wings in particular within the New Orleans system. Keion Brooks has quietly developed into a respectable shooter from the outside, even on higher volume. His defense has been his calling card dating back to college stops at Kentucky and Washington, but the jumper has helped him to get some opportunities in the league.
Jalon Moore was a standout scorer alongside Fears at Oklahoma last season, and has a mismatch game at the forward position. He can take smaller matchups off the bounce and rise up for shots over larger defenders. Moore provides help on the glass and can defend around the basket against opposing forwards. He’s never been a connective passer throughout his career, but getting more chances to handle the ball and find his teammates in the G could benefit him long term.
Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Pacome Dadiet
Tyler Kolek
Ariel Hukporti
Two-Way Players
Tosan Evbuomwan
Trey Jemison III
Kevin McCullar Jr.
Players To Watch
Adama-Alpha Bal
Dink Pate
There are several players I’m fascinated to watch long term with the Westchester Knicks, most notably last year’s draft picks in Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet. Both have gotten minutes recently with New York, but I would expect to see them both on assignments throughout the season in order to provide them more on-ball opportunities that can hopefully prepare them for deeper support roles off the bench come playoff time.
Dadiet in particular needs his offensive game to come around, as he’s 6’8” and can really defend and provide help on the glass. Kolek has all of the skills needed from a backup point guard, but he’s been picked on defensively in NBA minutes. Kolek has to find ways not to get eaten alive on that end of the floor and turn some opportunities into defensive steals and runouts to turn the tide.
Kevin McCullar had some injury issues last season, which held him back from playing, but he looked like a breakout guy during Summer League. McCullar is very capable in terms of handling the ball and making plays off the bounce, and has steadily improved as a catch-and-shoot threat. He doesn’t have an in-between game offensively, but as a guy who can move off the ball, hit open shots, and defend multiple positions, it’s easy to envision why the Knicks invested in him, as he fits the ideals and culture of what this team has become.
Lastly, Dink Pate is as interesting a player to watch in the G League as any. He entered the Ignite program early, but wasn’t yet ready to enter the draft upon its closure. So Pate played another G League season with Mexico City and found some intermittent success as a 6’8” wing who is best served in an off-ball capacity, making secondary reads rather than commanding higher usage on the ball. If Pate can find that jump shot of his and connect on threes at a respectable clip, his length and athleticism remain intriguing for a team that could use some support in that spot.
Oklahoma City Blue (OKC Thunder)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Nikola Topic
Two-Way Players
Brooks Barnhizer
Branden Carlson
Chris Youngblood
Players To Watch
Jazian Gortman
Viktor Lahkin
Payton Sandfort
Nikola Topic deserves chances to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the team is so deep already as it is—not to mention that Ajay Mitchell has loudly emerged as the best short-term option at backup point guard for the time being. Therefore, I’d expect Topic to spend some assignments with the Blue in order to get him some playing time and keep him fresh. The Serbian guard prospect has excellent positional size, legitimate downhill burst and finishing ability, and he’s as creative a passer as the Thunder have within the organization. He needs to make some large strides on defense, but his offensive skill package and creativity are something to keep monitoring as he develops.
Outside of Topic, I LOVE what Oklahoma City has done on the margins. Brooks Barnhizer, Branden Carlson, and Chris Youngblood are as good as it gets from a Two-Way core, all bringing different skills and traits to the table. Barnhizer is a tough-nosed wing rebounder and loves to mix it up on the interior. Carlson stretches the floor from the center position, and has gotten a lot better at putting the ball on the floor and attacking, should he pull defenders out to him on the perimeter. He’s an underrated defensive center who can block shots and challenge opposing bigs on the interior. Youngblood is a perimeter sharpshooter who can really put the ball in the basket. He looked great in preseason run, and may have some more utility as a playmaker getting downhill if he’s run off his spots from three.
Two other players to keep an eye on: Viktor Lahkin and Payton Sandfort. Lahkin was a late second-round favorite target of No Ceilings for his size, strength, and passing ability playing at the top of the floor. Lahkin can operate well in handoff actions, is a solid screener, and holds his own on the glass. He does a lot of things that teams want out of a big man, and it’s no surprise to see him with a sharp organization like OKC.
Sandfort had a lot of momentum heading into last season at Iowa, but suffered some up-and-down performances as a scorer while also suffering an injury that kept him shrouded in a bit of mystery during the pre-draft process. He’s still a 6’7” three-point marksman who has some ability to take a few dribbles inside the arc and knock down a pull-up jumper. Look for him to continue developing as a player who can attack closeouts and make reads off a live dribble.
Osceola Magic (Orlando Magic)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Jett Howard
Jase Richardson
Noah Penda
Two-Way Players
Jamal Cain
Colin Castleton
Orlando Robinson
Players To Watch
Johnell Davis
The main draws of the Osceola Magic will be when the young guns on standard deals with Orlando spend some time on assignment throughout the year. Noah Penda could really use some time in the G to refine his ball handling and ability to attack at better angles to finish around the rim. Not to mention his three-point shot is going to need some reps and work in order to get it to where it needs to be. But Penda is an underrated playmaker, and just dwarfs opposing wings physically on the defensive end. There’s a reason why he’s with Orlando, as he fits the team’s philosophy of size, length, and athleticism at every position.
Jase Richardson doesn’t necessarily NEED developmental time in the G league from a skill perspective, but I’d like to keep seeing him get reps as a point guard without as much on the line in terms of NBA minutes in that type of role. Richardson is awesome at attacking defenses on the move, coming off screens, and working out of handoff actions. He can pull up around the elbows, knock down threes if defenses give him an inch of space, and has a knack for finishing at tough angles at the rim. There are defensive concerns with Richardson, but his offensive spark off the bench, especially if he can serve as a better pick-and-roll passer, could offer a different dimension for Orlando.
Jett Howard has been around the NBA for a bit, and consider me crazy for still buying into what he could become if given the right opportunity. Howard has excellent size at the wing position, and he came out of college in the mold of dribble, pass, and shoot. I buy his vision and shooting touch. But Howard hasn’t been able to play good minutes as a defender, and he’s struggled at other aspects of scoring inside the arc. If he can work on some counters and tighten up his handle, it would go a long way in bringing some other parts of his game together. If he doesn’t improve defensively, and those other offensive aspects don’t come around, then it’s tough to hand minutes to a movement shooter if that’s the only role he can play, given the current high bar of the NBA.
Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Johni Broome
Two-Way Players
Dominick Barlow
Hunter Sallis
Jabari Walker
Players To Watch
Igor Milicic
Saint Thomas
Kennedy Chandler
Emoni Bates
I’ll be fascinated to watch how the Philadelphia 76ers manage the games played for their Two-Way forwards in Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker, as well as who could possibly get upgraded to a standard deal at some point. Both have already played meaningful NBA minutes for Philly and have looked good in differing capacities.
Hunter Sallis is the other Two-Way contracted 76er who I’m confident will spend more of his time than not in the G League. His defense isn’t up to the level that it needs to be for a team that already can’t defend on the perimeter. Yes, Sallis is a capable bucket getter who can create in isolation, but his streakiness as a shooter and weaknesses as a passer don’t paint a complementary picture for Philly in the present. Sallis could really grow from getting those opportunities to round out his game in the G League.
I’m keeping a personal eye on Igor Milicic Jr., the forward who spent last season at Tennessee. As a Volunteer, Milicic was inconsistent offensively in the scoring department, but had flashes as a corner shooter, putback scorer, and versatile defender at the forward spot. He plays hard with a motor that runs hot, and he has the size to defend multiple positions. If he can shoot well enough with the Blue Coats, don’t be surprised if he lands on a Two-Way deal at some point.
Valley Suns (Phoenix Suns)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Khaman Maluach
Rasheer Fleming
Two-Way Players
Koby Brea
CJ Huntley
Isaiah Livers
Players To Watch
Tyrese Samuel
Both Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming will likely spend some games down in the G League on assignment at different points throughout the year. For Fleming in particular, his game is more theoretical for the time being, as he has a lot of intriguing tools and talents, but none that really stand out as a dominant trait as it stands. Fleming needs reps and freedom to explore more of who he is as a player, and the Valley Suns are an excellent opportunity for him to do so.
Maluach looked solid as a big man in preseason action, but hasn’t gotten many minutes at all since Mark Williams has returned to action. The trio of Williams, Nick Richards, and Oso Ighodaro have all commanded the rotation spots at center, so Maluach could use some opportunities to get on the floor and keep playing to further develop and expand his game.
Koby Brea is an NBA-level shooter right now, but could still use some reps on the ball to build out his secondary offensive skills, such as passing off a live dribble and attacking closeouts. Players who are exclusively movement shooters on offense are not the rage in today’s NBA, but Brea showed signs at Kentucky last year as someone who could provide more as a pick-and-roll operator in a pinch. I’d expect him to get a lot of shots and touches in the G League this season.
Rip City Remix (Portland Trail Blazers)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Yang Hansen
Rayan Rupert
Blake Wesley
Two-Way Players
Sidy Cissoko
Javonte Cooke
Caleb Love
Players To Watch
Andrew Carr
Sean Pedulla
Yang Hansen is a target to me for G League assignments, especially with the way Donovan Clingan has played as an NBA sophomore for the Portland Trail Blazers.
This franchise invested heavily in Hansen getting him where they did in the 2025 draft, so it makes sense to give him as full of a runway to develop as possible while still keeping in mind how good the present-day construction of Portland is. Deni Avdija has fully emerged as a star-level player, while the perimeter group of Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara has rounded out the rest of the squad nicely by committing to playing both ends of the floor.
Therefore, Hansen getting reps to do what he does best in the G League could benefit all parties. Keep giving him touches to get used to the speed of the game, and implement concepts that he’s made to play in Portland with the Rip City Remix. Any G League offense benefits from a playmaker with excellent vision, and that’s what Hansen brings to the table as a 7-footer who can handle; he is also getting better at knocking down jump shots. Give him the ball on the block, however, and he can really pick apart defenses if you double him at the wrong angle.
Sidy Cissoko hasn’t broken out at the NBA level, and it appears he’ll be splitting time between both leagues on a Two-Way deal. The 6’8” wing has passing creativity and burst for days, but has struggled as an efficient scorer. If he can reign in some of his scoring concerns and clean up some of the defensive mistakes, he’s still a young talent that fits what the NBA is always looking for out of that position.
Finally, keep tabs on Sean Pedulla. His last season at Ole Miss was great alongside Matthew Murrell. Pedulla is crafty, can defend his position, and is a threat to drill shots from deep behind the arc. I value experienced point guards who are tough and make few mistakes. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him on a Two-Way deal at some point.
Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Nique Clifford
Devin Carter
Maxime Raynaud
Two-Way Players
Dylan Cardwell
Daeqwon Plowden
Isaiah Stevens
Players To Watch
Jabri Abdur-Rahim
Jameer Nelson Jr.
Jaylin Williams
I have ZERO clue what the Sacramento Kings are doing from a roster perspective. What I DO KNOW is that there’s some interesting young talent here that I’d love to see get NBA minutes.
Given the veteran logjam, however, that likely won’t be the case. What that means is that the Stockton Kings will be near the top of my list in terms of teams I keep tabs on this year.
Both Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell strike me as guys who can pop in the G League for different reasons. Raynaud knows how to microwave defenses with his catch-and-shoot game, not to mention he’s become better at getting all the way to the basket against other bigs off the bounce. Cardwell is just a pain-in-the-ass to deal with on the block and around the basket. He does all of the little things to win, from setting screens to sealing off defenders so drivers can get into the paint and score. His advanced metrics in the G could really surprise some people.
Past those two, there are some other names I want to monitor as potential Two-Way targets. Jameer Nelson Jr. and Jaylin Williams have plenty of college experience and had their fair share of strong performances in the G League last season. Nelson can really guard on the perimeter, and he has developed into a trustworthy playmaker who takes care of the ball. Williams can just flat-out score the rock from anywhere on the floor. If Williams can improve as a defender and find a position where he’s most comfortable on that end, he could find a home on an NBA team’s bench for sure.
Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Carter Bryant
Two-Way Players
Harrison Ingram
David Jones Garcia
Riley Minix
Players To Watch
Adam Flagler
Until Carter Bryant proves that he can reliably generate offense at an NBA level, his time may best be served down in Austin with the G League affiliate of the Spurs.
Bryant has All-Defense level upside in the NBA on that side of the ball, but going back to his preseason action, the offense has been a rough experience. He’s not comfortable right now as a shooter, and he hasn’t gotten many chances to put the ball on the deck. Bryant has to be able to at least knock down some corner threes and attack closeouts in order to provide enough offensive value as a play finisher to get minutes.
But until he actually threatens defenses as a shooter, no one will respect him enough to guard him on offense. If Bryant can build out more of his offensive skill set in the G League, there’s a very real world where he develops into one of the most important pieces to San Antonio’s long-term future.
I was amazed by David Jones Garcia in Summer League. What he was doing to defenses every trip down the floor was criminal. This dude is a bona fide bucket who deserves an NBA shot so long as he can hold his own in some capacity defensively. There’s always a concern with giving minutes to a scorer who may just be a black hole, but I trust Jones Garcia to pick and choose his spots and settle on higher percentage looks instead of forced shots.
Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Ja’Kobe Walter
Jamal Shead
Jonathan Mogbo
Two-Way Players
Chucky Hepburn
A.J. Lawson
Alijah Martin
Players To Watch
Julian Reese
Toronto has so much young talent that it’s impossible to play everyone on a nightly basis with the Raptors. The good news is, Raptors 905 has consistently proven to be a worthy developmental G League program. I’m betting against Collin Murray-Boyles spending much time with 905 if at all, given the minutes load he’s already taken on, but any of the other young guys on standard deals could benefit from extended minutes.
Ja’Kobe Walter has had some nice moments in the NBA as a movement shooter off the bench and has found ways to get to the line. There’s room for him to grow as a passer and on-ball defender, and that will only happen if he keeps getting consistent minutes. Jonathan Mogbo has been hit or miss as an impactful forward at the NBA level, as he’s one of the most versatile defenders any team has off the bench, but his offense has been inconsistent to say the least.
I’m not sure how much longer Jamal Shead will be on this team with both Alijah Martin and Chucky Hepburn behind him. Both Martin and Hepburn bring more to the table offensively while offering comparative efforts on defense. Toronto always seems to have a running turnstile of point guards on Two-Way deals or within its G League system, so keep an eye on that situation with all three of those guards.
Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
Cody Williams
Two-Way Players
Elijah Harkless
John Tonje
Oscar Tshiebwe
Players To Watch
Steven Crowl
Matthew Murrell
I saw some encouraging flashes from Cody Williams in Summer League action. The plus-sized wing showed a willingness to dig in and get physical on both ends of the floor. He’s clearly added muscle, as guys were bouncing off of him left and right. We haven’t seen Williams on the floor too much for the Utah Jazz out of the gate this season, but I would expect him to have a much more efficient stretch of play this year for the Salt Lake City Stars in any assignments he gets.
John Tonje was a popular riser on draft boards last cycle into the second round. The established wing scorer out of Wisconsin has that old-man game that plays well in G League environments. I’m not entirely sold on how he translates to today’s NBA, given how he gets his buckets, but getting another look at him with Salt Lake City might change my evaluation of his long-term future as a pro.
I’ve long admired Oscar Tshiebwe’s efforts as a rebounder and transition runner at the center position. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t grown much as a defender and man in the middle on defense. There’s more to defense than just effort, and the communication isn’t there often enough for his team to win those minutes on defense. If Tshiebwe ever becomes anything close to an anchor defensively, I still buy the absurd rebounding rates and interior finishing.
Finally, Elijah Harkless surprised me as a G League guard last season, and I wouldn’t rule out his chances to eventually crack an NBA rotation in a more meaningful capacity. The 6’3” guard has positional size and strength to play point in the NBA, is crafty, and can connect on pull-up jumpers from beyond the arc. He’s one of the best guards the G League has to offer, so don’t be surprised if he eventually finds himself on a standard deal outside of Utah next season and beyond.
Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards)
Young Players Who COULD Spend Time In G League
AJ Johnson
Will Riley
Two-Way Players
Sharife Cooper
Tristan Vukcevic
Jamir Watkins
Players To Watch
Keshon Gilbert
Jonathan Pierre
Kadary Richmond
I’m a sucker for Washington Wizards basketball, as I thoroughly enjoy what this front office is building in the nation’s capital. There should be plenty of fun chances to watch the G League team do its thing as well.
AJ Johnson and Will Riley are two candidates for me to spend time with the Go-Go, as both could benefit from opportunities on the ball. Johnson is as electric a guard prospect as there is in the league, with awesome positional size as a lead option. He’s still learning how to command a team from that spot, but in terms of breaking down an individual matchup and getting to the rim, Johnson is as exciting as it gets.
Riley is a bigger wing made to play complementary basketball in a winning context if everything pans out for him. Last year at Illinois as a freshman, Riley was interesting when he got chances to run pick-and-roll sets. He’s not a physical player, but his ball-handling is underrated, and he’ll throw some slick dimes that make you do a double-take when watching back the film. If his jump shot becomes a signature weapon, Riley has the size and length to hold his own to some degree defensively. He was a smart bet for Washington’s front office to make later in the first round in the 2025 draft.
Tristan Vukcevic is likely the team’s most consequential Two-Way contracted player as it stands today. Vukcevic has had moments as a shooting center who can help protect the rim, but hasn’t quite developed as many would’ve hoped up to this point in his career, especially on defense when he’s asked to play away from the rim. This year will likely determine more of his NBA fate than many realize if he can’t eventually impact the rotation in a backup spot for a team that’s lacking depth in the front court.
Three players I want to watch for the Go-Go who aren’t on Two-Way deals are Keshon Gilbert, Kadary Richmond, and Jonathan Pierre. Pierre is fascinating as a 6’9” creator off the bounce who’s flashed pull-up shooting touch and defensive playmaking. He was a relative unknown out of Belmont to those who aren’t complete draft sickos, but there’s real upside there for him to become an NBA contributor one day, so long as his body continues to fill out.
Richmond has an immense amount of defensive utility and could end up being one of the best defenders in the G League altogether. He’s gotten more comfortable as a ball-handler and passer, but the jumper is still very much a work in progress. Gilbert really scored the heck out of the ball for Iowa State last season in college, and I’d expect him to do more of the same for Capital City. He’s a 6’4” guard who has the tools to impact the game as a backup guard if he can reign in the turnovers and sure up the shot from behind the three-point line.