5 D-League Studs with Best Chance of Cracking an NBA Roster
Breaking into the NBA is no easy feat, especially when you're not a blue-chip prospect getting ushered in via the draft.
Countless hopefuls in the Development League are toiling to earn a spot in the world's greatest basketball confederation. But which ones have the best chance of cracking an NBA roster in 2014-15?
Of course, there are D-Leaguers with extensive big-league experience in the past, which gives them a certain advantage over green youngsters. And there are those who began the 2014-15 season on NBA squads, which means they obviously have some chance of returning to the bright lights.
We're not going to focus on those guys. We're talking about the players with little-to-no NBA experience or undrafted rookies looking to prove they're too good for the D-League.
Who's on our radar to join the sport's highest ranks?
*Includes 2014 prospects or players who have played in fewer than 25 career NBA games.
Brady Heslip, Reno Bighorns G
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Vitals: 6'2", 180 lbs (Baylor)
2014-15 Stats: 30.5 MPG, 33.3 PPG, 52% FG, 55% 3FG
Talk about a blistering hot start to your professional career.
Former Baylor three-point gunner Brady Heslip failed to make the final cut with the Minnesota Timberwolves this fall, so he was picked up by the Reno Bighorns in the D-League draft. He's been lighting up opponents from beyond the arc since day one, averaging a whopping 8.3 triples per game at a 55 percent clip.
Heslip has thrived in the uptempo, high-possession style of the NBADL, as he's frequently finding space and opportunities to shake free for buckets. He's an adept catch-and-shoot threat, but he can also launch off the dribble when the defense is on its heels.
Due to his proficiency from distance, Heslip is posting some incredible numbers. Despite a usage rage of 26.8 percent, his true shooting percentage is an outlandish 72.3 percent.
There are some substantial obstacles for the sharpshooter to land in the NBA, unfortunately. He's significantly undersized for a 2-guard, and his defense is nothing special at all, even at the D-League level. An NBA club would have to be careful how and when it uses him.
But when a player is burning the nets to a crisp night after night, it's hard to keep him down on the farm.
Khem Birch, Sioux Falls Skyforce PF/C
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Vitals: 6'9", 209 lbs (UNLV)
2014-15 Stats: 30.4 MPG, 15.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 67% FG
Ever since draft night, UNLV product Khem Birch has been viewed as one of the best undrafted commodities of 2014.
His early-season exploits for the Sioux Falls Skyforce include five consecutive double-doubles, as he's aggressively patrolling the paint. Birch doesn't have a massive or towering frame, but he plays strong and attacks the rim without shying from contact.
Most of his offense comes from well-timed tip-ins and quick one-dribble forays to the rim. He'll serve as an energy scorer in the NBA. However, he also has a mid-range jumper that he's showcased a few times for the Skyforce. Most importantly, he knows that he's most effective right around the bucket.
"(Birch) definitely knows his strength," noted Chris Reichert of Ridiculous Upside when examining Birch's paint-heavy shot chart.
Defense is where he's the most imposing, as his college rim protection has translated well to the pro ranks. He's blocking 2.9 shots per game, landing him in the top five of the entire D-League. Birch's 18.3 offensive rebounding percentage and 23.0 defensive rebounding percentage also illustrate his knack for cleaning things up around the basket.
NBA clubs looking for a midseason boost in the paint will see Birch as one of the best options to pluck from the D-League. He'll be able to supply some dirty work for teams that need interior depth.
Ronald Roberts, Delaware 87ers PF
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Vitals: 6'8", 211 lbs (St. Joseph's)
2014-15 Stats: 32.8 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 70% FG
Thanks in large part to his preseason quad injury, undrafted prospect Ronald Roberts was released by the woeful Philadelphia 76ers prior to the start of the regular season.
So that means he has no chance to make the big leagues, right?
His early-season explosions for the Delaware Sevens are indicating otherwise. The undersized yet hyperathletic forward has thrived on the glass and shown a knack for slipping to the hoop for high-percentage opportunities.
According to SportVU player tracking, 61 of his 73 field-goal attempts have been within five feet of the hoop, and he's shooting 74 percent on those attempts. He's having a field day against any D-League foes who make the slightest miscue, as he's athletic enough to make them pay with quick dunks or lay-ins.
Fortunately, Philly didn't let go of him entirely. Even though the Sixers don't own his NBA rights (he could potentially sign with any NBA team), they have the luxury of scouting him in Delaware and calling him up.
As he continues to overwhelm minor league challengers, his case for the big stage will grow.
Seth Curry, Erie Bayhawks G
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Vitals: 6'1", 180 lbs (Duke)
2014-15 Stats: 39.7 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, 49% FG, 53% 3FG
Although Seth Curry isn't a shoo-in to crack the NBA in 2014-15, his ultra-efficient shooting gives him an advantage over many of his peers.
Stephen's brother is not new to this D-League thing, as he played 38 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2013-14 and averaged nearly 20 points per game. He's used his year of experience to become an even more potent offensive asset for the Erie Bayhawks (Orlando Magic affiliate) this season.
Since he's sinking more than half his three-pointers, Curry is registering a 73.9 true shooting percentage. That's outstanding considering his usage is 24.0 percent. We can't expect him to keep up those kind of numbers for the duration of the season, but it shows that he's comfortable and ready for the next challenge in his career.
Opponents know that he's a dangerous outside threat, and he uses their overcommitted closeouts against them. Curry can drive into the lane and score with mid-range shots and floaters. Scott Rafferty of Ridiculous Upside talked about his craftiness:
"He knows how to create space with his dribble, and although he settles for floaters in the paint, he has a soft touch, leaving room to believe that he could add that as a legitimate weapon to his arsenal. Not only that, he's a smart player. He's not afraid to split double-teams and change pace to keep his defender off guard, and he does a good job of using angles to get his shot off.
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He's not a true point guard, and he's just 6'1" in stature, so his NBA defense and playmaking consistency is in question. However, if he continues to score so smoothly at the D-League level, the Magic will have to take a peek at his capabilities off the bench.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks SF
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Vitals: 6'7", 215 lbs (Greece)
2014-15 Stats: 32.7 MPG, 11.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 BPG, 39% FG, 22% 3FG
Thanasis Antetokounmpo isn't ready for the NBA.
That's not up for debate, as he's still extremely inefficient offensively for the Westchester Knicks (note the unsightly shooting percentages above). He doesn't have the best feel or polish for NBA-level offense.
However, I like his odds to sneak up to the New York version of the Knickerbockers at some point. The parent club is one of the worst teams in the NBA's inferior Eastern Conference, and its playoff hopes are razor thin.
Right now, the Greek Freak's older brother is one of the most interesting D-League players, and he's certainly the most marketable face on the inaugural Westchester outfit. But once the novelty wears off and New York wants to give Antetokounmpo some in-season experience in the NBA, he could make the jump to MSG.
As a bonus, his defensive ranginess and energy would give a much-needed lift to the veteran roster. The young swingman stopper has done nothing but wreak havoc on would-be slashers with his elite athleticism and condor-esque wingspan.
*All stats gathered from NBADLeague.com.
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