Jahlil Okafor, Malik Monk and Other NBA Players Who Need Run in the G-League
Dozens of current NBA rotation players have used the G-League—previously known as the D-League—to develop and jump-start their careers. As many as 167 NBA names on opening-night rosters have had some experience in the G-League.
As of December 20, there are a handful of young pros who'd benefit from being sent down. Prospects go there to improve their confidence and sharpen their games and IQ.
We excluded players like the Sacramento Kings' Justin Jackson, Denver Nuggets' Tyler Lydon, Milwaukee Bucks' DJ Wilson and Oklahoma City Thunder's Terrance Ferguson, who've already been sent to the G-League this month.
Malik Monk (Charlotte Hornets, SG)
1 of 8
December stats: 10.6 minutes, 3.8 points, 1.1 assists, 33.3 percent FG, 33.3 percent 3PT
G-League goals: Raise confidence, recommit to defense
Malik Monk continues to jump in and out of the Charlotte Hornets rotation. Interim coach Stephen Silas only gave him three minutes during Monday's blowout win against the New York Knicks—a game the Hornets led by 18 points at the half and 24 after three quarters.
Monk ranks 96 out of 100 NBA shooting guards in defensive plus-minus and last in real plus minus, a number that's higher than just four other NBA players.
A trip to the G-league could serve as a message for Monk, who's never been billed as a defender and has always let his offense do the talking. But his offense isn't working right now either.
Known for shot-making, Monk's bread-and-butter has failed him early, a likely result of a major role adjustment (27.2 percent usage to 21.8 percent) and the difficulty-level of his particular shot selection. So far, 58.3 percent of his field-goal attempts have been pull-up jumpers. He's taken 17 free throws all year.
Monk would ultimately have a chance to build back some confidence in the G-League, where there will be less pressure and more freedom to play through mistakes.
Jahlil Okafor (Brooklyn Nets, C)
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December stats: One game, 23 minutes, 5-of-11 FGM-A, 10 points, four rebounds
G-League goals: Improve conditioning, build reps, experiment offensively
After lobbying for a buyout or trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, Jahlil Okafor was sent to the Brooklyn Nets, only to arrive out of shape.
"We need to help him get in better condition, that's first off,” coach Kenny Atkinson told the New York Post's Brian Lewis.
"I don't know how far I am away, but I know I'm not there yet to where I can play 25, 30 minutes and actually help the team win," Okafor told NetsDaily's Brian Fonseca. "I'm doing myself a disservice, and the team, if I'm out there and not really contributing as much as I think I can."
Okafor recorded a DNP in 21-of-23 games for the Sixers. Some time in the G-League would give him a chance to get his legs back and even experiment with his shot. Presumably in a fresh attempt to fit into today's spread-out NBA, Okafor took a couple of threes during his Nets debut, after not taking any in 2016-17.
The G-League would do Okafor some good with his conditioning, confidence and skill development, given the the amount of time he's been sitting and how the game has continued to evolve.
In the meantime, the Nets can focus on developing Jarrett Allen, the more valuable asset and likely future at center in Brooklyn.
Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic, PF)
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December stats: Two games, 31 minutes, 2-of-9 FGM-A
G-League goals: Raise confidence, build reps
After recording 17 straight DNPs (most due to injury), Jonathan Isaac made his return on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons, missing all four of his shots in 17 minutes. He followed with a four-point, zero-rebound effort in a loss to the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night.
Limited offensively as it is, now would be a good time to send Isaac down. He could use a few games in the G-League to regain some confidence, particularly with his ball skills and shooting (5-of-18 3PT).
The No. 6 pick in this year's draft has taken just 10 shots in a game once all season, playing behind budding star Aaron Gordon and Orlando staple Nikola Vucevic. Meanwhile, Jonathon Simmons and Mario Hezonja have started to give the Magic some quality minutes.
Unless Orlando is willing to play Isaac for longer stretches or get him more involved in the offense, management might as well send him to the G-League, where he can build up his reps and see some shots after missing a month.
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Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks, PF/C)
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December stats: 18.0 minutes, 2.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 38.1 percent FG
G-League Goals: Raise confidence, build reps
The Milwaukee Bucks have always seemed reluctant to send Thon Maker to the G-League.
Maybe it's time. Maker hasn't been the breakout player the rookie flashes suggested he would be. Through nine games in December, he's averaging more personal fouls (3.0) than points (2.9).
Shooting just 48.6 percent within five feet, sporting a below-average 11.4 rebounding percentage, the 7'1", 223-pound big man has struggled in traffic around the basket. And his shooting touch isn't saving him. He's missed 28 of his first 39 threes this season, and he's shot 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Maker is barely even looking at the hoop anymore. He didn't take any shots in 14 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. In the three games before that, he attempted four shots in 49 minutes.
Maker needs to remember what it feels like to dominate again. A trip to the G-League could be the answer, even if it's for a short period of time.
Dwayne Bacon (Charlotte Hornets, SG/SF)
5 of 8
December stats: 8.1 minutes, 1.5 points, 0.1 assists, 41.7 percent PG, 0-1 3PT
G-League goals: Sharpen skills
With Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeremy Lamb all healthy, Dwayne Bacon is out of the rotation and offers little as a bench warmer without a specialty.
He earned six starts earlier in the season, but now it's G-League time for the Charlotte Hornets' 2017 second-round pick.
Shooting 37.2 percent inside the arc and 10-of-31 from three, Bacon isn't a good-enough scorer or shooter for a non-playmaker and rookie defender. Taking 1.5 shots in 8.1 minutes per game—which is what he's doing in December—is not the answer. Bacon needs the G-League to continue getting reps and improving each aspect of his game.
Jawun Evans (Los Angeles Clippers, PG)
6 of 8
December stats: 20.7 minutes, 33.8 percent FG, 6.2 points, 2.4 assists, 31.3 percent 3PT
G-League goals: Improve floor game, shooting
It's good that Jawun Evans is getting an early taste of NBA action. But at this point, he's had enough.
The Los Angeles Clippers have given him 20.7 minutes per game in December with Patrick Beverley out for the season. In nine games this month, Evans is making 33.8 percent of his shots, averaging 2.4 assists to 1.8 turnovers.
He ranks 92 out of 93 NBA point guards in offensive plus-minus. A poor shooter who must adjust to a role as setup man (from Oklahoma State's top option), the Clippers' second-round rookie looks like an ideal candidate to be sent back to the G-League, where he played one game on November 3 and shot 2-of-11.
Zach Collins (Portland Trail Blazers, C)
7 of 8
December stats: 17.3 minutes, 4.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 37.8 percent FG
G-League goals: Sharpen skills, strengthen body, learn the NBA whistle
The Portland Trail Blazers have started giving Zach Collins some run, but he'd be better off developing in the G-League. He isn't physically or intellectually ready to defend or execute offensively against NBA centers.
Having averaged just 17.3 minutes a game as a one-and-done freshman, playing mostly mid-major opponents, the transition appears too overwhelming.
With a basic jump hook (25.0 percent on post-ups) and once-in-a-while shooting touch (28.6 percent on catch-and-shoot jumpers), Collins isn't advanced enough offensively and doesn't have the athleticism to compensate. He's totaled 42 points on 34.1 percent on the season, and after averaging 6.2 fouls per 40 minutes at Gonzaga, he's averaging 6.1 fouls per 36 in Portland.
It's worth questioning whether Collins would have benefited from being drafted by one of the 28 teams that have a direct G-League affiliate.
Caleb Swanigan (Portland Trail Blazers, PF/C)
8 of 8
December stats: One game, one minute
G-League goals: Add shooting, keep up conditioning
The Portland Trail Blazers not having a direct G-League affiliate isn't helping Caleb Swanigan, who's logged one minute all month.
Injuries to others allowed him to play 10.8 minutes per game in October, but he only shot 25.0 percent in that span. With Al-Farouq Aminu, Noah Vonleh, Jusuf Nurkic, Ed Davis and Zach Collins ahead on the depth chart, there isn't much of an opening for Swanigan to get back into the rotation.
A poor athlete, undersized for an inside big man, he needs to continue developing his shooting to serve a larger purpose, particularly given his defensive limitations. He hasn't made a three since opening night, and his rebounding alone isn't valuable enough.
G-League time now would allow Swanigan to work on expanding his offense and improving his conditioning, an issue for him in high school and during his first year at Purdue.
All stats courtesy of NBA.com, RealGM.com, Basketball Reference or ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
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