Why A Couple Of 2019 G League Champs Could Be Solutions For NBA Teams
Following the Nets' acquisition of James Harden, G League vets like champions Dakarai Tucker and Gary Payton II (among others) could be worth a look from NBA teams aiming to fill roster spots.
The Nets’ acquisition of James Harden sent shockwaves through the NBA for many reasons, while also creating a number of open roster spots for Brooklyn in the process. As the team continues its quest for a championship, they’ll need players who can step in and make immediate contributions.
Brooklyn isn’t alone. As the pandemic continues to impact the NBA season, the need for additional players (bodies, even) who can come through without a hitch is arguably at an all-time high.
The NBA G League is always a good place to look, and the 2021 NBA G League Draft actually featured the selections of some minor league veterans who have previously proven to be on the cusp of reaching the next level.
The draft saw the majority of teams opt to roll the dice and invest in younger talent, rather than proven NBA veterans. This is a sensible strategy when considering the best days for such vets may be behind them. The likes of 23 year old Admiral Schofield (#1 overall by the Greensboro Swarm) and 22 year olds Anthony Lamb (#4 overall by the Canton Charge), Armoni Brooks (10th overall by the RGV Vipers), and Oshae Brissett (taken in the second round by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants) boast some of the more intriguing upsides to explore.
Still, exploring that potential and identifying their professional roles may take time. There are a handful of players who are a step or two ahead in that process, and thus, might be closer to embracing an NBA role.
2019 NBA G League champion Dakarai Tucker appeared to be on the cusp of reaching the next step on the ladder upon winning it all with the RGV Vipers. He averaged 17 points and shot 37% from deep to go with 6.3 rebounds in the NBA G League Finals and tallied six games of 25 points or more during the regular season. He’s the kind of player who steps up when the pressure is on and doesn’t shy after from embracing heavier minutes, even if he’s had to accept a lesser role previously. His postseason prowess was the definition of someone staying ready. Tucker’s won on one of basketball’s biggest stages, and at 26 years old, already has that extra seasoning to ready him for a potential moment in The Association. Taken in the late first round of the draft, he could emerge as a steal for the Iowa Wolves.
Tucker’s RGV teammate, Gary Payton II, is another champion that could be primed and ready to shoulder an NBA role. Also taken in the first round (by the Raptors 905), Payton II — to his credit — has already had quite a few cups of coffee in the NBA to date. He appeared in 29 games for the Wizards last season, averaging 1.1 steals in just 14.9 minutes per game. The 28 year old seems to understand that making big league contributions often means doing the dirty work. He excels in that area and his maturity shines through, but it remains to be seen if he can handle more minutes or a diverse role. Nevertheless, Payton II’s 16.2 point, 4.7 assist, 2.4 steal numbers through 115 NBA G League career contests point to him being an uptempo player who can make things happen in transition. He’ll be someone else to keep an eye on, one still deserving of another NBA look.
These two champs aren’t alone. Tahjere McCall (5th overall by the Lakeland Magic) and Jemerrio Jones (the first pick of the second round by the Delaware Blue Coats) flirted with triple-doubles on a nightly basis in the NBA G League last season. Jones was second in the league in rebounding with 12 rebounds per game and helped the Wisconsin Herd amass the best record. McCall was runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year award and helped the Long Island Nets reach the 2019 G League Finals. Both have experience on their side with winning track records to boot.
Being in your mid-twenties doesn’t have to be a detriment as an NBA G League player. Instead, it could mean that an up and coming athlete has inched closer to their prime and has valuable game action to lean on. That’s a plus. It means they are ready to make meaningful contributions and teams have a past body of work to help guide them into putting such players in a place to succeed. For a team in the championship hunt like the Nets, these players could provide an injection of life. There are a number of younger players (recent NBA draftees, even) who can’t necessarily say the same as they watch and learn from the sidelines.
Not only have these aforementioned players put in the time, they’ve also tasted what winning is like. That’s valuable (and perhaps translatable) on any stage, and it’s just another reason why they should have a leg up on some of the younger talents upon entering the NBA G League bubble this season.