Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
With the NBA D-League season kicking off on Friday, I’ve put together a list of five players you should keep an eye on this season. Some are more likely to get a call-up at some point this season than others, but no matter how long or short their tenure in the D-League ends up being they’ll each put up big numbers and be amongst the top prospects in the NBA’s minor league.
1) Earl Clark — Rio Grande Valley Vipers
After five seasons in the NBA, in which he appeared in 251 games with the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, Earl Clark finds himself in the D-League with the Houston Rockets’ affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Clark came close to making the Rockets heading into the 2014-2015 season but was amongst the team’s final cuts. It didn’t take long for the Rockets to acquire his D-League rights, and after talking to his good friend James Johnson he was convinced that a stint with the Vipers is his best chance of making it back in the NBA.
The Vipers run an up-and-down system that should play right to Clark’s strengths. They were first in the league in points per game (123.1) and attempted a league-high 2,268 threes last season. Clark will be able to run the court, float around on the perimeter, and shoot threes until his heart’s content. Head coach Nevada Smith has also said that Clark will play all five positions for the Vipers this season, giving him an opportunity to showcase his entire skill set.
2) Seth Curry — Erie BayHawks
Like Earl Clark, Seth Curry came close to signing an NBA deal for the entirety of the 2014-2015 season this summer.
Following an impressive showing in both the Orlando and Las Vegas Summer League, the Orlando Magic signed Curry to a non-guaranteed training camp invite. While he didn’t make the final roster — he was one of the final cuts, too — the Erie BayHawks traded their star player from the 2013-2014 season in Scott Suggs and a 2015 first round pick for Curry’s rights. Curry will, therefore, be staying close to the Magic this season, playing for their D-League affiliate.
Curry emerged as one of the best point guards in the D-League last year and he returns this season with a chip on his shoulder. He’s able to play both the one and the two, giving the BayHawks the luxury of playing small ball with Curry and Peyton Siva occupying their backcourt.
3) Manny Harris — Los Angeles D-Fenders
Manny Harris averaged 31.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals in 22 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders last season, prompting the Los Angeles Lakers to sign him to a pair of 10-day contracts. While he performed well during his time with the Lakers — he just missed the 20 point plateau twice in the nine games he appeared in — they didn’t guarantee his contract for the rest of the season. Harris responded by setting a franchise record (56 points) in his first game back in the D-League.
Harris was a big reason why the D-Fenders owned the second best offense in the D-League last season, which helped them reign supreme in the West Division. Now that the D-Fenders are without Malcolm Thomas, Ryan Kelly, Shawne Williams, Terrence Williams and James Southerland, they’ll need Harris to be bigger an better than ever before.
If Harris does step up to the plate this season, the Lakers might be tempted to call him up again.
4) Kevin Murphy — Idaho Stampede
Although the Idaho Stampede were the worst team in the West Division last season, they boasted the most exciting backcourt in the D-League with Dee Bost, Pierre Jackson and Kevin Murphy. Out of the three, though, Murphy is the only returning player this season.
In 34 games with the Stampede last season, Murphy averaged 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. He was one of the best shooting guards in the D-League, and while that didn’t translate into a call-up during the season, the Utah Jazz rewarded him with a contract this summer.
Murphy is no longer under contract with the Jazz but the Stampede are now their single D-League affiliate. In a similar fashion to Manny Harris, Murphy will be expected to carry the team this season, and if he performs anything like he did in 2013-2014 that could certainly lead to a call-up.
5) Thanasis Antetokounmpo — Westchester Knicks
When the New York Knicks decided not to sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo after drafting him in the second round of the 2014 draft, Greek Freak 2 was left with two options: spend another season in the D-League (this time with the Knicks’ affiliate rather than the Delaware 87ers) or go overseas.
One phone call from Phil Jackson helped Antetokounmpo make up his mind. He has decided to stay in the D-League in the hope of getting a call-up from the Knicks this season, turning down some lucrative offers in the process.
Antetokounmpo’s flaunted off his potential in his rookie season with the 87ers. He was one of the best perimeter defenders in the D-League, earning him All-Defensive Third Team honors, but was a mixed bag on offense. He excelled in transition and showed off the ability to knock down threes, but he’ll have to improve his ability to create in half-court sets and shoot with more consistency from the perimeter for the New York Knicks to give him a shot.