Projecting the Best Potential NBA Role for the Top 9 D-League Stars

Many of the top-tier NBA D-League players are gifted enough to play in the Association, but for whom?

Professional basketball is all about opportunity. Some of the most talented minor leaguers are just waiting for the right role and the optimal chance to prove their value.

Some D-League studs are good enough to become key rotational players or even starters. Others may have to scratch and claw simply to make a roster and do dirty work.

A couple of the top NBADL standouts are poised to become dangerous dual-threat guards. Another trio has a chance to become backup floor generals. Meanwhile, a few frontcourt towers seek to impose their physicality on the next level.

We dissected the D-League's top nine stars—based on 2014-15 production, versatility and translatable skills—and charted their best potential NBA roles. What are their ideal tasks and contributions to the biggest stage?

*Does not include 2014-15 D-League stars who have already signed with international teams.

**Minimum 25 D-League games in 2014-15 in order to qualify. Maximum of 20 NBA games to qualify.

9. Aaron Craft, Unsigned PG (6'2", 24 Years Old)

Noah Graham/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Santa Cruz Warriors

2014-15 Stats: 36.1 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.5 SPG, 43.4 FG%, 25.7 3FG%, 13.1 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Backup point guard, defensive igniter

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Initiate and facilitate offense, apply defensive pressure at point of attack

Aaron Craft isn't your prototypical D-League star. In fact, he didn't even make the 2014-15 D-League All-Star Game.

But considering his defensive value and integral role on the Santa Cruz Warriors' title-winning squad, he deserves more of the spotlight. Craft led the D-League in steals and defensive win shares, helping propel him to Defensive Player of the Year status.

His ideal role in the Association is clear: come off the bench, run the team's offense crisply and with cadence, then pester the bejesus out of opposing point guards on defense.

Craft's quickness and court awareness were NBA-ready when he left Ohio State, so it's no surprise that he dished six-plus assists and provided an overwhelming defensive front. He just needs to show big league coaches and front offices that he can score when called upon.

Outside shooting has been the youngster's Achilles' heel, and it will continue to be his most doubted attribute. However, Craft shot 33 percent from three-point land in the D-League playoffs, including some clutch triples, and he hit 44.4 percent from distance during 2015 summer league.

If those solid numbers continue into next season, Craft should earn someone's trust as a backup NBA point guard. He won't dazzle fans as a scorer or playmaker, but his quickness, toughness and smarts will be hard to ignore.

8. Arinze Onuaku, Unsigned PF (6'9", 28 Years Old)

Fernando Medina/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Canton Charge

2014-15 Stats: 34.6 MPG, 17.5 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 62.2 FG%, 22.4 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Reserve big man enforcer

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Rebounding, post-ups off Floppy sets, pick-and-rolls

Finding a spot in the NBA for Arinze Onuaku isn't easy, but one thing's for sure: The bruising big man has done almost everything he can in the D-League.

Over the past four seasons, Onuaku has dominated challengers in the paint, using his colossal physique to average a double-double. His nose for the ball and great hands around the rim haven't earned much big-stage playing time, but he's certainly one of the top frontcourt assets you'll find in the minor leagues.

"Since his D-League arrival in 2011, Arinze Onauku has perhaps been the most consistent forward in the entire league," said Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside.

So how exactly does this low-post behemoth fit into today's sleek, speed-oriented NBA? 

Onuaku translates first and foremost as a rebounder. He's not shy about carving out position in the lane and finding extra possessions for his team. Onuaku ranked top-10 in the D-League's offensive and defensive rebounding percentages during 2014-15.

The only way for him to earn regular minutes is alongside an agile big man who can play away from the basket. In small-ball lineups, he can certainly play the 5 spot on both ends of the floor. Onuaku is exceptionally confident turning over either shoulder and scoring with either hand.

He'll have trouble defending quicker bigs, but the 275-pound anchor won't give up position easily near the bucket and will challenge shots stoutly.

Onuaku may be inclined to star in Europe rather than serve as a fringe NBA player. But in just six games with the Minnesota Timberwolves during 2014-15, he posted 14-plus points and 11-plus rebounds per 36 minutes along with a 22.8 PER. Given a slightly bigger opportunity, he could register similar per-minute numbers and serve as a valuable asset in the back end of a club's rotation.

7. Willie Reed, Brooklyn Nets C (6'10", 25 Years Old)

Ronda Churchill/Associated Press

2014-15 D-League Team: Grand Rapids Drive, Iowa Energy

2014-15 Stats: 33.7 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 60.1 FG%, 23.0 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Rebounder, rim protector

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Offensive glass, pick-and-roll lobs

It remains to be seen what Willie Reed's role on the Brooklyn Nets will look like, but he's best served moving toward the bucket.

Reed is one of those select few players whose motor runs in a different gear. He ripped down an unsightly number of rebounds for the Grand Rapids Drive and Iowa Energy last season, including 4.6 offensive boards per contest.

When Reed gets his mitts on the rock, he looks to finish forcefully above the hoop, challenging opponents to meet him in the stratosphere. Even though Reed worked hard to upgrade his offensive skills, his NBA role will consist largely of rebounds and pick-and-roll tosses.

Reed's tenacity carries over to the defensive side as well. He gets into foul trouble occasionally, but the activity and blocked shots are worth it. He does a nice job of vertically contesting shots, and if he doesn't block them, he hustles to prevent adversaries from gaining second chances.

If the Nets' backup center spot isn't shored up by opening night, Reed will have a chance to lock down that gritty role he's suited for.

6. Vander Blue, Unsigned SG (6'5", 23 Years Old)

Chris Marion/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Los Angeles D-Fenders

2014-15 Stats: 37.2 MPG, 23.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.3 APG, 47.3 FG%, 41.6 3FG%, 18.9 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Rotational playmaker or potential starting 2-guard

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Balanced mix of pick-and-roll facilitating and off-ball work on the wing

Vander Blue's improvement since his days at Marquette is impossible to ignore both on the stat sheet and in the film room.

After shuffling around the world and the D-League in 2013-14, he settled in for a highly productive 2014-15 campaign with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Blue showed greater playmaking skills, substantial progress as a shooter and an all-around better feel for the game. For example, he averaged 1.8 assists per contest and 30.3 percent three-point shooting during his final year in college, and those marks had swelled to 5.3 assists and 41.6 percent in 2014-15 .

Even though he shot poorly during summer league with the Chicago Bulls, Blue's dynamic development throughout 2014-15 should earn him more NBA opportunities moving forward.

In the spring, he talked to reporters (via Lakers.com) about how he's tried to become more coachable. That should allow him to maximize his skills and versatility and give him a decent chance to latch on as a combo guard/wing.

"I feel like, it got to the point where it wasn't just about basketball, my skill level," said Blue. "People know that I can play. It was more about me learning how to be a pro. This whole year I did a lot more listening than thinking I had all the answers."

Blue's athleticism, body control, ambidexterity and shooting could make him a dangerous attacker off an NBA bench. He's best-suited to be a combo guard with plenty of initiation sets. However, Blue shouldn't be the team's primary facilitator on every possession.

Down the road, his athleticism and burgeoning creativity could translate into a bigger role as a sixth man or starting 2-guard.

5. Eric Griffin, Unsigned SF (6'8", 25 Years Old)

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2014-15 D-League Team: Texas Legends

2014-15 Stats: 35.2 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 45.5 FG%, 36.8 3FG%, 17.3 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Defensive playmaker and explosive supplementary scorer

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Spot-up threes, defense-into-offense energy

Eric Griffin is somewhat of a stretch 4 in a small forward's body.

That means the slender, 6'8" high-riser won't score nearly as many points against NBA defenders as he did in the D-League. It's simply tougher to generate and finish drives at that level.

However, Griffin's touch from beyond the arc could keep him relevant as a three-and-D pogo stick off the bench. He shot 36.8 percent from NBA distance for the Texas Legends in 2014-15 and can attack closeouts with a couple of long, quick strides.

In addition to the perimeter potential and skyscraping offensive athleticism, Griffin's defense could keep him on the floor.

The former Campbell University standout still has to learn better discipline on that end, however, as Griffin led the D-League in fouls last season. If that happens, his long arms and quick springs will create plenty of turnovers and beg for more playing time. Griffin specialized in out-of-nowhere blocks last year and also created havoc in the passing lanes.

If he establishes a role with the Legends' parent club (Dallas Mavericks) or lands elsewhere, Griffin should be the fourth or fifth option on the floor—even with the second string. Instead of asking the forward to create shots off the dribble, the team needs to let him score within the flow of the offense and feed off defensive explosions.

4. Bryce Cotton, Utah Jazz PG (6'1", 22 Years Old)

Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Austin Spurs

2014-15 Stats: 40.2 MPG, 22.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 47.1 FG%, 44.8 3FG%, 18.2 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Backup point guard, uptempo catalyst

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Push the pace in transition, high pick-and-roll

Bryce Cotton did enough at the end of the 2014-15 D-League season and 2015 summer league to earn strong big league consideration come training camp.

His successful campaign for the Austin Spurs gave way to a promising handful of Utah Jazz games, along with productive stints at the Jazz's Vegas and Utah leagues. What Cotton lacks in size, he makes up for with blinding speed, timely change of direction and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports talked about Cotton's elusiveness:

"

Few players on this level can keep Cotton out of the paint, as the diminutive point guard is a veritable blur with the ball in his hands. But while he's always had that lightning quickness, Cotton has done a better job of slowing things down and reacting to what the defense gives him. If he can keep doing that in preseason and in training camp, he's going to force the Jazz's hand.

"

Without the size to score consistently, Cotton is not a prime candidate to start or blossom into a standout. But when the Jazz need an energetic burst from the reserves, his fast-paced tendencies can give the game a different complexion.

Both Trey Burke and Raul Neto are playmakers behind Dante Exum on the depth chart, so Cotton won't automatically be spoiled with a backup point guard role. He may not flex his full quarterback talent in Utah, but he should eventually find a home where he can terrorize opposing second-string guards.

3. Jabari Brown, Los Angeles Lakers SG (6'6", 22 Years Old)

Jack Arent/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Los Angeles D-Fenders

2014-15 Stats: 34.9 MPG, 24.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 45.7 FG%, 39.2 3FG%, 18.2 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Instant-offense 2-guard off bench

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Off-ball shooter, sporadic slasher

We saw glimpses of Jabari Brown's ideal NBA usage last year, but the Los Angeles Lakers won't likely give him enough opportunities at the moment. Not with Kobe Bryant and Nick Young still in the mix, and youngsters Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell taking a healthy chunk of shots.

But we could eventually see Brown spending regular NBA minutes on the wing.

Brown's foremost contribution is his outside shooting, and it's been that way since his days at Missouri. He hoisted 5.9 triple attempts per game with the Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2014-15 and hit an efficient 39.2 percent.

When foes overplay Brown's perimeter game, he drives assertively to the tin. No one will confuse him as an elite athlete, but he's strong and can score smoothly with either hand.

Brown's bucket-getting instincts led to 7.4 free-throw attempts per game in the D-League last year. He won't get fouled at that rate in the NBA, but his 6'6" frame and aggressive nature should translate nicely.

No matter what kind of offensive role Brown assumes in the NBA, he'll likely struggle on defense. Brown's not the quickest or most talented stopper, so that may limit his minutes, especially early on. 

2. Tim Frazier, Portland Trail Blazers PG (6'1", 24 Years Old)

Jack Arent/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Maine Red Claws

2014-15 Stats: 35.6 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.1 RPG, 46.0 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 20.5 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Uptempo backup point guard

Ideal Tasks/Sets: Transition playmaking, uptempo style

Many players love fast breaks, and most look like prolific transition threats when you watch highlights. But not all point guards, especially undersized ones, can truly command uptempo scenarios and deliver a blend of speed and control.

Tim Frazier is one of those gifted guards who can offer such an impact. His ability to play in high gear and find buckets for teammates yielded 2015 D-League MVP honors and a spot on the Portland Trail Blazers.

If head coach Terry Stotts is smart, he'll allow Frazier to run and attack rather than act as a conservative caretaker.

When the former Penn State baller accelerates toward the bucket, he almost always remains an unpredictable threat to do three or four different things. Frazier could burst all the way to the rim, dump the rock to a cutting forward or kick it out to a shooter.

Despite his below-average size, Frazier's shiftiness and outstanding instincts help create separation and scoring chances. He's not quite versatile enough as a scorer to earn a starring role in the future, but he'll remain a dangerous aggressor off the bench.

Portland's backup point guard situation is not set in stone, so Frazier will have a chance to prove his strengths. If the Blazers push the pace, he could flourish in a modest role.

1. Seth Curry, Sacramento Kings PG/SG (6'1", 24 Years Old)

Bart Young/Getty Images

2014-15 D-League Team: Erie BayHawks

2014-15 Stats: 37.0 MPG, 23.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 48.4 FG%, 46.7 3FG%, 20.7 PER

Best Potential NBA Role: Sixth-man combo guard, potential starter

Ideal Tasks/Sets: On or off ball during Horns sets, unsettled scenarios, 25 minutes per game

Seth Curry gets some extra fame due to his brother's superstardom, but he can flat-out fill up the hoop.

Over the past couple of seasons, the former Duke star has streamlined and quickened his jump-shooting delivery and expanded his shot-creating repertoire. Consequently, Curry tallied the third-highest scoring average in the D-League during 2014-15 and led the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Sacramento Kings noticed Curry's improvement and picked him up, but will they use him optimally?

Even though his ball-handling has improved, Curry is not a prolific distributor or pure point guard. He's at his best when catching the ball on the move, whether it's off a pin-down, flare screen or weak-side cut. Once Curry catches it, he can launch the ball with his new, quick release or attack closeouts to generate plays.

While Seth isn't the same type of brilliant passer as Stephen, his improved talent off the bounce has enabled him to become more than a shooter. Before the Kings inked him, the Pelicans enjoyed his summer league versatility.

"Two concerns about his game have prevented the younger Curry brother from sticking on an NBA roster: Can he create off the dribble? Can he defend?" said ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon. "Not coincidentally, those are the two facets of Curry's game that have most impressed (Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry) in Vegas."

Kings head coach George Karl's fast-paced style should suit Curry well, and it could be a nice stepping stone for his ideal NBA role: a dual-threat combo guard that can quickly attack opponents' weaknesses in the open floor.

All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.

Dan O'Brien covers the NBA for Bleacher Report.

Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR