2014 D-League Draft Review & Analysis

The D-League draft happened this past weekend, with 122 players picked across eight rounds. Overall, most teams seemed to add some quality players who fit the various systems across the league. Here is a breakdown of each team’s draft, along with my thoughts on their choices:

Austin Toros (San Antonio)

Analysis: Austin went with two highly skilled players with their first two picks in Erik Murphy and Keith Wright. Murphy, a former second round pick, is a true stretch four at 6’10, with NBA three-point shooting range and good rebounding and passing ability. He should be a great fit in the San Antonio/Austin system. Wright, the former Ivy League Player of the Year at Harvard, is a talented defender and an efficient scorer from 18 feet in.  Donte Poole is a tough perimeter defender who likes to get into the defense off the dribble. Corey Raji has always played much bigger than his 6’6 frame, and he showed in France the past two seasons how effective he can be around the basket as a scorer and on the glass.  Mitchell, a former NAIA Division II Player of the Year, is a strong-bodied guard who can score in a variety of ways, though he will need to work on defending and distributing.

Bakersfield Jam (Phoenix)

Analysis: The Jam added some scoring pop in this draft, including taking Robert Vaden in the first round. Vaden spent two years in the D-League from 2010 to 2012 and was a very good long-range shooter, hitting 41 percent of his 366 three-point attempts.  Xavier Munford, who the Jam acquired the rights to in a post-draft trade, was a dynamic scoring guard in his two seasons at Rhode Island, though he can be a high-volume shooter. Munford will also bring some toughness to the perimeter defense. Haynes, a veteran out of Fordham, can score inside and out, and rebounds well on both ends of the floor.  Clark, a former star at Duquesne, has played well in Europe the past few seasons, and will add some versatile scoring, defense, and leadership abilities. Barbosa is the nephew of NBA guard Leandro Barbosa.

Canton Charge (Cleveland)

Analysis: The Charge added some intriguing pieces in the draft, including a few guys with some possible major upside. Michael Dunigan has been on the NBA radar for the past few years, though hasn’t broken through yet. He is coming off a decent year in South Korea, though you get the feeling he may be capable of much more with his size and still-growing skill level. Spurlock had a solid career at Central Florida after transferring from Virginia his freshman year. He doesn’t excel in any one area, but he can contribute across the board. Murphy is an athletic wing who runs the floor well and can finish strong at the rim.  Thompson can be an imposing figure around the basket, with a big body and nice touch, as well as strong rebounding ability. Olekaibe is a long-range bomber who can help stretch the floor.

Delaware 87ers (Philadelphia)

Analysis: Like last season, the 87ers’ draft is an eclectic mix of talent and projects. As part of a 5-team deal after the draft, they acquired the rights to first-round pick Melvin Johnson III, a long and athletic shooting guard with a consistent long-range jumper. Former Cal State-Fullerton guard D.J. Seeley is a good scorer and playmaker, especially in the open floor. Jones, who left college after his junior season, will be draft-eligible in 2015. He is very athletic wing who will look to score from everywhere. He needs to develop his body more, but the talent is there. Koch, a German national, had a solid four-year career at Elon. He has good size on the perimeter with a consistent stroke. Moore, a former guard at James Madison, is one of the toughest players in this draft and very good perimeter defender. Hall is a classic power forward who is coming off a good season in Slovakia. He uses his body well around the basket to score, defend, and rebound. Miles was one of the leading scorers in college basketball last season, though he only played in 21 games.  Goode is an athletic seven-footer who has started to develop his game well the past two seasons, but still needs some more work.

Erie Bayhawks (Orlando)

Analysis: The Bayhawks added a nice mix of size and skill with this year’s draft, starting with their two second round picks. Daniel Coursey was a workhorse for Mercer the past few seasons, and he really made an impact on the defensive end with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. UTEP center John Bohannon has great length and skill, but at 6’11 and 210 pounds, he needs to bulk up a bit for the pro level. Both players will fit in on the offensive end without having to be the focus. Lenzelle Smith is a versatile guard who plays tough defense and can knock down open jumpers. Point guard Kevin Anderson has always been more of a scorer than distributor, but he is very good at breaking down defenses. Austin Peay guard Betran is another good scorer who can play either backcourt spot.  Marcus Goode is a massive player in the middle at 6’10 and almost 300 pounds. A former Division II All-American, Goode is still a project at 26 years old.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants (13 teams)

Analysis: The defending champion Mad Ants added an impact player with their first pick, Andre Emmett, who has a good chance of being the D-League’s leading scorer. Rubles is a strong, athletic forward who can make his mark in transition and on the glass. Former Colorado guard Hall has played very well in Turkey the past few years and should help with his ability to score and distribute. Madison was one of the nation’s top scorers at Idaho last season, and though he needs to be a more consistent three-point shooter, he finds ways to score and rebound.  Bonneau had a tremendous season for the London Lightning of the Canadian NBL, averaging almost 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Though he is only 5’10, he is tough when he attacks the basket, and he can be a pest on the defensive end.  Sutton has NBA size at the center position, and with some development, can be a solid rim protector and post defender.

Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit)

Analysis: The former Springfield Armor are now in Grand Rapids and put together a very good group for their first draft, including last year’s D-League Rookie of the Year, Robert Covington. Covington averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds, and over 2 steals per game last season for Rio Grande Valley. It was surprising that Houston let him go, but the Detroit organization will benefit from his ability to score inside and out, and his ability to defend multiple positions. The Drive’s other first-round pick, Ben Hansbrough, is an experienced leader at the point guard position, and he will knock down shots if he is left alone. Amoke is an athletic wing who uses his length and leaping ability to hit the glass well on both ends of the floor. Pruitt is an athletic big man who has done well in Venezuela and Mexico the past few seasons. Holsey is another long, athletic wing who may not be the most skilled player, but he plays hard when he is on the floor. Waters is another veteran point guard, though he is much better than Hansbrough at getting into the defense and creating scoring chances.  Woolridge hasn’t made much of an impact at any level yet, but he has good size and leaping ability. Barlow does a good job using his size to get to the basket, but he needs to shoot more consistently from the perimeter.

Idaho Stampede (Utah)

Analysis: The Stampede went with a group of unheralded prospects for the most part, though it is a very athletic group of players.  Tre Bussey was a bit of a surprise as a first round pick, but he was with Utah in camp and must have made a very good impression. Bussey has good scoring ability, and he can be a playmaker off the dribble. Doggett has been up and down in Portugal and Denmark the past two seasons, but he uses his length and athleticism well to score at the rim and hit the boards. Sypkens had a down season at UC-Davis, but still hit 41 percent of his three-pointers, after hitting 46 percent his junior year. Augustus played well in Sweden the past few years, showing a good inside-out offensive game at 6’8. Covington is a D-League veteran with his best year coming back in 2012-2013.  He isn’t the most disciplined player on the floor, but he can make things happen. Wright and Tate are athletic wings who are active on both ends of the floor. Gibson is a versatile scoring guard who can fill the stat sheet across the board.

Iowa Energy (Memphis)

Analysis: The Energy added some NBA experience in the first round with the 9-year veteran Wilkins. Though Wilkins was never more than a role player, he was a decent contributor for many of his NBA stops with scoring and defense off the bench. Barbour is a tremendous long-range shooter, though he is undersized for the 2. When he gets hot, he scores in bunches. Wright is a long and athletic wing who adds versatile scoring ability plus good shot-blocking for his size. McCall isn’t a great playmaker at the point guard position, but he plays tough defense on the perimeter and gets his team into their offense quickly. Stover has NBA size in the middle and has proven himself as a rebounder and rim protector. Smith is an undersized shooting guard, though he doesn’t have Barbour’s consistency from the perimeter.

Los Angeles D-Fenders (Los Angeles Lakers)

Analysis: The D-Fenders added some nice pieces to the team, though the pick of Vargas in the first round seemed a bit odd after having watched him play the past few years. Still he gives them legitimate size in the middle and he still may have some upside. Tharpe will be eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft after leaving Kansas following his junior season. Tharpe had some ups and downs at Kansas, but he came along well last season as a player and leader. He should do well with some professional coaching. Turner is a strong power forward who uses his body well to clear space around the basket. He can contribute immediately on defense and rebounding. Hinkle broke out as a senior at American, showing a versatile scoring game, with good shooting range, and the kind of hustle that coaches love. Yeager had some limited D-League experience last season with Texas, hitting 25 of 47 three-point attempts.

Maine Red Claws (Boston)

Analysis: The Red Claws were active on draft day, trading away two of their third round picks. Their second-round pick, Dixon-Tatum, a seven-footer from Auburn, showed some strong rim-protecting prowess, though at 225 pounds, he needs to add strength to defend the post. Former Oregon State forward Omari Johnson isn’t very skilled, but he always plays hard, especially when defending and rebounding. Loucks is a good role player on the wing, able to score in a variety of ways, and the ability to create for others off the bounce. Freelove has some scoring ability, and has really come along as a long-range shooter. Petrucelli was a tremendous player at the Division II level, and he could be a strong playmaker and defender at the point guard position.

Oklahoma City Blue (Oklahoma City)

Analysis: The Oklahoma City franchise has done a strong job with D-League development the past few years, and they have their biggest test yet with their first round pick, Marquis Teague. Teague, a former first-round NBA pick, has looked lost in his few seasons in the NBA, and really needs a crash course in the intricacies of the game. Beamon is a pure scorer, able to score from anywhere on the court, and not lacking for confidence. He is also a solid defender when he puts in the effort.  Former Rutgers teammates Miller and Mitchell are both long, athletic wings. Miller is much better looking to get to the basket, while Mitchell is the better perimeter shooter. Porrini is a high-level perimeter defender who can guard either backcourt position.

Reno Bighorns (Sacramento)

Analysis: There seemed to be a running trend to Reno’s picks in this draft – load up on skilled scorers. Joonas Caven is eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft. He has a nice shooting stroke, and at 6’11, he should get a lot of good looks at the time. However, he is only 200 pounds and will need to do a lot of work to be physically ready for the NBA game. Still, he is an interesting long-term project. Heslip has been one of the NCAA’s best three-point shooters the past few seasons and his range and quick release will fit in well with new coach Dave Arseneault’s system. Stockton was picked up in a post-draft trade, and will add a smart point guard who knows how to get the ball to teammates in the right spot to score. Oliver had an inconsistent career at Seton Hall, but he has good size on the wing and hit 41 percent of his threes last season. Ravern Johnson is another long-range bomber with good size, and is another good fit for the new system. Foster took on a big scoring load at Santa Clara, but he is a talented distributor and tough defender. Chamberlain played for Arseneault at Grinnell and knows the system well. He is a good rebounder on both ends of the floor.

Rio Grande Valley (Houston)

Analysis: Rio Grande Valley has done a great job teaching and developing players in the style of play of their Houston affiliate, and this group of players has some potential to add another piece to the pro team down the line. First round pick Chane Behanan was a key part of Louisville’s 2013 National Championship team, but he found himself dismissed from the team last season. He will be eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft. Behanan is an undersized power forward who has a lot of natural talent, but is still low in the skill department. He uses his body well when he is around the basket to rebound, but he needs to add more to his offensive game.  Carey had a very good career at Longwood where he showed he could score in a variety of ways, including consistently from the three-point line, but he was also a very good rebounder for his size, and a pest as a defender. White was a solid role player in college, but he also should a good long-range stroke, and at 6’7, he is capable of getting some good looks. Mondy had good size at the point guard position, and though a bit wild at times, he has a knack for playmaking. Jarvis Threatt is another player eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft, and he put up a major stat-stuffer line at Delaware last season. Threatt averaged 18 points, almost 6 rebounds, over 5 assists, and over 2 steals per game. He was an inefficient scorer though, and he will need to control his game a bit more at the pro level.

Santa Cruz (Golden State)

Analysis: Santa Cruz came away with a bonanza in this draft, including three first-round picks. Elliot Williams has battled injuries in his short NBA career, but the former first-round pick has been healthy for the past year and looked good for Philadelphia last season. Carrick Felix was a second-round pick of the Cavaliers in 2013, and is a versatile defender and a strong transition scorer. They acquired their third first-round pick after the draft, after they traded away their original third pick. The Serbian Milisavljevic is a skilled guard, though will need time to adjust to the American style of play. Vereen has D-League experience, including a solid season as role player for Texas. He is a versatile wing who likes to get to the basket.  Bell has a good size and can defend well around the basket. I don’t know much about Mollet or Howard, and I would be surprised to see them make the team.

Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami)

Analysis: The Skyforce may have come away with a steal when Edwin fell to them at number 15 in the first round. A high-level defender who uses his length well to disrupt passing lanes, Edwin has also proved to be a good perimeter shooter, though injuries last season seemed to nag him all year. Williams had a good year at Cal State Fullerton after transferring from San Francisco. He’s a good ballhandler who uses his speed well to get into the lane or out in transition. Atkins is a good shooting wing, who rebounds and defends like a player much bigger than his 6’6 frame. Lufile is a load around the basket, using his strength to clear out space. His skill level leaves a lot to be desired, but he will do the little things for his team.  Hezekiah was an undersized center in college, but he showed he can be a skilled scorer around the basket and uses his length well to defend and block shots. Gibbs was a high-level scorer in college, though he needed to control the ball often to get his points. He’s gotten some good experience overseas the past few years, but he is still a high-volume shooter.

Texas Legends (Dallas)

Analysis: It wasn’t a big draft for the Legends, but after some post-draft trades, they ended up with a potential star in Justin Jackson. Jackson was known more in college for his athletic and dunking ability, but he showed improvement throughout college, and with his NBA body, he still has a good deal of upside with some coaching. Togashi played with Dallas in the Summer League, and he wasn’t very impressive. He is small and quick, and his game may work in the D-League, but that’s about it. Melvin has built a solid career overseas, and at 32 years old, there isn’t much upside. He will go out, hit the boards, play defense, and he has a decent perimeter shot. Jacobo is a good perimeter shooter, while McClure has improved his long-range ability.

Westchester Knicks (New York)

Analysis: The D-League’s newest team, the Knicks loaded up on guards with their six picks. Bertrand has good size at the shooting guard spot, and he has shown an ability to knock down the three consistently, though he didn’t take many attempts in college. He uses his size well to get to the basket and he can defend multiple positions. Mayo, the half-brother of OJ, will be eligible for the 2015 NBA Draft. He had an inconsistent college career, marked with some run-ins with his coach, Buzz Williams, but he seemed to get on the right track last season. He has a scorer’s mentality, but he can also be a playmaker off the dribble. Ussery has the size and athleticism to be a solid rim protector in the D-League. Wright was a good perimeter defender in college and he uses his body well to get to the basket. Mitchell has had prior D-League experience, averaging almost 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game. The only area of his game which never seemed to come together was his long-range shooting. Tiggs is a well-traveled guard who has been a proven scorer where ever he has played.