The Hornets‘, Pistons‘, Spurs‘ and Thunder‘s G League associates accomplished a four-team commerce, in response to a launch (Twitter hyperlink) and the G League transactions log.
Within the commerce, the Greensboro Swarm (Hornets) obtained the returning participant rights to each Zavier Simpson and Caleb McConnell. The Motor Metropolis Cruise (Pistons) acquired RaiQuan Grey‘s rights and a 2025 second spherical choose from OKC. The Austin Spurs obtained the rights to Nathan Mensah whereas the Oklahoma Metropolis Blue obtained Buddy Boeheim‘s.
Buying somebody’s returning participant rights doesn’t essentially imply {that a} given participant will go well with up for the workforce that trades for them. All these trades do is be sure that if a participant indicators a G League contract, they are going to play for the franchise that owns their rights. Trades like these at this level of the offseason are sometimes precursors to gamers signing Exhibit 10 contracts with the father or mother membership, as a result of it additional ensures {that a} participant stays within the workforce’s system and doubtlessly achieves the $77.5K bonus they’re owed if they’re waived and spend at the least 60 days with that affiliate.
This commerce seems to be for precisely these functions, at the least partially. Each Mensah and Boeheim reportedly agreed to coaching camp offers with the Spurs and Thunder, respectively, so these trades point out these agreements can be accomplished quickly. Mensah performed in 25 video games for the Hornets final season, averaging 1.3 factors and a couple of.6 rebounds. Boeheim performed two seasons with the Pistons, showing in 20 video games and averaging 2.5 factors.
The opposite names within the commerce are fascinating. Simpson performed in Summer time League with the Hornets however earlier reporting from HoopsHype indicated he was set to move abroad this season. He might very nicely nonetheless be doing that, however Charlotte clearly likes him. Grey, in the meantime, was traded whereas on a two-way contract to the Bulls earlier than being waived.
Simpson has 11 video games of NBA expertise, averaging 7.8 factors and 5.0 assists. McConnell, a former Rutgers performed, additionally participated in summer time league for Charlotte. Whereas he hasn’t but performed within the NBA, he suited up for 47 G League video games and averaged 7.1 factors and 5.7 rebounds final season. Grey performed components of two seasons with the Nets after which Spurs, averaging 9.8 factors in his 4 video games.
We have now extra from the G League:
- The Cruise and Spurs participated in one other multi-team commerce, buying the rights to Javante McCoy and Reggie Kissoonlal together with unspecified draft capital, in response to the log and a workforce launch (Twitter hyperlink). The Spurs obtained the rights to Isaiah Miller and Jaylen Johnson whereas the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars (Jazz) obtained a 2025 first spherical choose and Jayce Johnson. None of these gamers have but agreed to signal Exhibit 10 offers, however as groups begin fielding their coaching camp rosters, these can be gamers to watch. All gamers concerned have beforehand participated in coaching camps with NBA groups.
- The Lengthy Island Nets and Cleveland Cost accomplished their very own commerce, with the rights to Trey McGowens heading to Cleveland in trade for Tray Maddox‘s (Twitter hyperlink). McGowens signed an Exhibit 10 with Brooklyn final season and averaged 10.1 factors in 16 G League video games final season. Maddox, a Western Michigan product who went undrafted in 2023, averaged 6.1 factors final season for the Cost.
- In case you missed it, Lonnie Walker IV signed an Exhibit 10 take care of the Celtics and it might be likelier that he fits up for his or her G League affiliate this season, at the least to start the yr.