The 2021 NBA G League playoffs will continue Tuesday night in Orlando, with the No. 6 seed Lakeland Magic taking on the No. 2 seed Santa Cruz Warriors (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU) and the top-seeded Raptors 905 playing the No. 4 seed Delaware Blue Coats (9:15 p.m. ET, ESPNU). In Monday's quarterfinals, Raptors 905 defeated the G League Ignite squad, a team featuring four members of the G League's new Pathway program -- Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Green, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd -- who are all eligible for the 2021 NBA draft.
With NBA evaluators focused on the G League this week during the NBA's hiatus, we looked at the meaning of G League Ignite's early success, the draft picks-to-be who helped themselves most with late flourishes, while also taking a look at some of the former draft picks on NBA assignment who either made the most of their G League experiences or raised questions with their play. The NBA G League playoffs will be completed Thursday afternoon with the championship from Orlando airing at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
How it ended for Ignite: Kuminga out, Todd up, Nix down
G League Ignite recovered from a late-season slide to win its final game and clinch a playoff spot, a significant accomplishment for a team that started the season in December by losing two games to G League backups by a combined 32 points. The fact that three of the four draft prospects were able to get the experience of a playoff game against the No. 1 seed Raptors 905 and their half-dozen former or current NBA players was icing on the cake and should prove beneficial for their long-term growth.
Projected top-five pick Jonathan Kuminga elected not to play in the team's final three games due to soreness in his knee, which opened the door for big man Isaiah Todd to start and finish the season on a strong note. Todd posted 25 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists in the regular-season finale, all season highs.
Todd's skill level was on full display down the stretch -- his ability to step into pick-and-pop 3-pointers, space the floor from the corners or elevate smoothly out of midrange spots is certainly intriguing for his size. Todd was also active defensively and found easy baskets running the floor in transition or crashing the offensive glass.
Todd has his fair share of fans among NBA teams who now consider him a real first-round prospect, a significant improvement from where he started the year. The free-flowing, wide-open nature of the G League obviously fits his strengths and style of play, and there's no doubt that he made real improvement on both ends of the floor in his time in the program.
Point guard Daishen Nix also got to start the final three games and benefited from an expanded role down the stretch but didn't find the same success as Todd. He really struggled to score on the season as a whole (47% from 2, 20% from 3, 49% true shooting percentage) and had a challenging time on the defensive end, as well where his poor intensity, conditioning and lateral quickness exposed him at times on that end of the floor.
Nix's size, strength and basketball instincts still give him a chance to find a niche at the NBA level, but he's looking more like a second-round pick than the potential lottery pick that was once his projection. Some scouts like the potential he shows manipulating ball screens and picking apart defenses in the open court, as the vision and creativity he demonstrates with the ball in his hands are some of the best of any guard in this draft. His struggles shooting from outside are something he'll have to overcome during the pre-draft process, and he'll also have to get in much better shape.
NBA teams we spoke with say they gained a lot of respect for Jalen Green, who elected to finish the season strong rather than choosing to sit out the home stretch like his teammate Kuminga did. Green cemented his status as a top-five pick with his play in the bubble and has some evaluators saying they would give him strong consideration at No. 1 depending on how the lottery shakes out. Green's combination of explosiveness and shot-making ability, combined with the growth he showed as a playmaker and defender, give him All-Star potential long-term, even if his slight frame means he probably won't be as NBA-ready from day one, as Cade Cunningham and Jonathan Kuminga will. He was especially impressive in the playoffs, posting 30 points, 7 assists and 3 steals against the best team in the G League.
Who were the best NBA assignment players?
NBA teams made use of the G League, with 45% of 2020 NBA draft players who were eligible and healthy enough for assignment seeing time in the bubble -- despite not every franchise having their own G League affiliate to send players. An even higher percentage of players on two-way contracts saw time on assignment in the G League, significantly raising the level of competition and making for an excellent point of comparison for Ignite prospects and the many rank-and-file G Leaguers vying for NBA call-ups.
Here were some of the best players we saw on assignment in the G League:
Kevin Porter, 6-foot-6, PG/SG, USC (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), 20.8 years old, No. 30 pick in 2019 NBA draft
Porter, once projected as a top-10 pick before sliding, had a promising rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers that suggested he might very well end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2019 draft.
But a series of off-court incidents caused the Cavs to wash their hands of the mercurial Porter, who raised concerns about his temperament and approach from early in his high school career. Porter was basically given away to the Houston Rockets, who immediately assigned him to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for the entire season, allowing him to play a James Harden-type role.
Porter proved to be easily the most talented player in the league outside of the two projected top-five picks on the Ignite team, leading the G League in scoring and ranking second in assists while helping his team make the playoffs. At 6-6, 220 pounds, there wasn't another guard in the league who could contain his combination of strength and explosiveness off the dribble, whether in transition, isolation or pick-and-roll situations. Porter was able to get anywhere he wanted on the floor while bulldozing his way through the lane.
Porter is not only an excellent slasher, but is also a highly capable passer, as evidenced by his 7.3 assists per game. He sees the floor from a unique vantage point at his size and is highly creative dishing off on the move, moving the defense and creating easy shots for others. He can be a little too much of a home run seeker with some of the passes he attempts, which partially helps explain his league-leading 4.7 turnovers per game.
While not consistent in terms of percentages, Porter is a gifted shot-maker with deep range who will pull up off the dribble if given even a hint of daylight. He leads the league in jumpers made off the dribble, per Synergy Sports Technology, although his 34% accuracy rate shows just how high the degree of difficulty of his attempts is and how much room he has to improve with his shot selection in a more compact role.
Porter's defense has long been considered perhaps his weakest attribute, and he was inconsistent in the G League, partially a product of the huge burden he shouldered offensively. When dialed in, he showed some potential getting in a stance and using his strong frame and long arms to defend bigger and smaller players, although his intensity off the ball really wavered at times.
While it's not clear to what degree Porter's exploits in the bubble fully translate to the NBA level due to his outsized role, it was interesting to see his talent fully unleashed and on display after his roller-coaster ride of a college career. There has never been any doubt that Porter has the skill set to be a productive NBA player, but whether he can hold it together for an extended period and convince a coaching staff and organization to trust him on and off the court. Porter's month-long stint in the G League bubble looked like a significant step in the right direction.
Malachi Flynn, 6-2, PG, San Diego State (Raptors 905), 22.8 years old, No. 29 pick in 2020 NBA draft
Flynn played only six games in the bubble but showed exactly what made him a first-round pick last November, averaging 21 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds on 41% shooting from beyond the arc to earn himself a quick call-back to the Raptors' main roster.
Flynn's savvy operating out of pick-and-roll really stood out, as he does an excellent job of playing at different speeds, passing off a live dribble and using the threat of his deep range and polished jump shot to keep defenders guessing. He's equally as effective shooting off the dribble as he is with his feet set, giving him the versatility to play on or off the ball when paired with his good basketball instincts and unselfish nature. Getting stronger should allow him to play through contact more effectively as his career moves on, as he's heavily dependent on his high skill-level at the moment, struggling to finish at times around the basket and not getting to the free throw line very often.
Despite not being the most physical guard, Flynn's defense really impressed in his time in Orlando -- his outstanding awareness and instincts made him one of the most effective guards in the G League on this end of the floor. He has quick feet, terrific smarts off the ball, and plays with excellent intensity, getting over ball screens consistently and covering huge swaths of space despite not possessing the impressive tools in terms of size, length or strength.
Playing behind two All-Star candidates in Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, as well as a guard in Norman Powell who is in the midst of a career year, NBA minutes haven't been easy to come by for Flynn. But he reiterated what makes him interesting in his time in the bubble, and will eventually receive some opportunities to show that his game translates.
Kenyon Martin Jr, 6-7, SF/PF, IMG Academy (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), 20.1 years old, No. 52 pick in 2020 NBA draft
One of the youngest players in the G League bubble, Martin is one of only a handful of players in the G League with no college experience under their belts. Despite his lack of experience, Martin attracted quite a bit of intrigue, averaging an impressive 22 points, 14 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.2 assists per-40 minutes while ranking among the league leaders in dunks with 24 in just 384 minutes of action.
The dunks and blocks hint at what makes Martin an interesting long-term prospect, as he's one of the most explosive athletes in the league, a highlight reel in the open floor and capable of detonating any moment. He saw most of his minutes at the 4 and 5 on a severely undersized RGV team, but was able to hold his own thanks to his toughness and impressive quickness getting off his feet to protect the rim.
While Martin's shot-blocking truly stood out, he is at his best switching on pick-and-rolls, and sliding and containing opponents off the dribble with his strong frame. Martin plays with a very serious, mature demeanor that belies his age, with quality basketball instincts that suggest significant room for growth long-term when combined with his quick-twitch abilities.
Martin has shown enough promise to earn minutes for a Rockets team that ranks among the worst teams in the NBA, and will likely turn the page to the future at some point this season. To carve out a long-term niche, though, it will be important for Martin to show growth with a jump shot that he really struggled with in the bubble, going (5-35 from 3). His mechanics and footwork really waver from beyond the arc. Most of Martin's scoring production comes in transition, finishing pick-and-rolls and attacking slower-footed defenders on straight-line drives.
Considering where he was drafted and the long-term potential he demonstrates, the Rockets have to be pleased with what Martin was able to show in the G League, giving him plenty to build on for the rest of the season and beyond.
Paul Reed, 6-9, PF, DePaul (Delaware Blue Coats), 21.7 years old, No. 58 pick in 2020 NBA draft
Arguably the most productive player in the G League, ranking third in both scoring and rebounding, Reed has exceeded both his draft slot (No. 58) and two-way player status. Poor pre-draft interviews and background intel helped sink Reed's draft stock despite his lofty analytic profile, but he's overcome those issues and proven he's a NBA-caliber talent with what he's shown in Orlando thus far.
The big revelation has come with Reed's jump shot -- he's been able to knock down 44% of his 3-pointers despite struggling from distance in college and sporting unorthodox shooting mechanics. He has excellent touch, which manifests itself with the impressive creativity he shows finishing around the basket from difficult vantage points as well as how reliable Reed is from the free throw line.
Being able to step into wide open 3-pointers with time and space as slower footed defenders retreat has helped Reed find an excellent rhythm in pick-and-pop situations. He's very dangerous attacking closeouts, pushing the ball off the defensive glass and using his excellent quickness, length and intensity as an offensive rebounder as well. The game still moves a little too fast for Reed at times, but there were very few big men at this level able to match up with his style of play.
Reed's slender 220-pound frame doesn't prevent him from playing center in the G League, but is questionable to translate against bigger and stronger players in the NBA. While Reed's defensive playmaking stats have always been a point of intrigue, his inconsistent intensity, tendency to get lost off the ball and struggles navigating advanced concepts due to his underdeveloped feel for the game always made him a more theoretical player on that end of the floor and contributed to his draft night slide.
Reed's effort level was mostly high in the G League bubble, and being able to play center full-time went a long way in simplifying his role on that end of that floor. He still has his struggles holding his ground in the paint, gambling unnecessarily for steals and fouling incessantly, but his ability to switch 1 through 5, get in a deep stance and cover ground seamlessly on the perimeter and recover for blocks is certainly intriguing as he continues to add strength and improves his comfort for this level.
Reed has a somewhat uphill battle to get playing time this season on a 76ers team with the third-best record in the NBA, but he's surely earned himself a roster spot for next season on this team or another based on what he showed in Orlando.
Brodric Thomas, 6-5, SG, Truman State (Canton Charge), 24.1 years old, undrafted in 2020
One of the more unlikely stories in the bubble, Thomas underwent a late growth spurt while playing at Division II Truman State to find his way onto evaluators' radar. He was intriguing enough to start the season on a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets before being waived and then picked up another two-way by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The solidly built Thomas has gotten some attention in the G League bubble, hitting 43 3-pointers in 14 games on a smooth 41% clip, while demonstrating some impressive flashes of potential as a big ball-handler operating out of pick-and-roll. He plays with outstanding pace, changing speeds smoothly with strong ball-handling skills and the ability to pull up sharply off the dribble in mid-range spots or beyond the arc. Seeing a good amount of time at point guard, Thomas has dropped some glimpses of ability as a passer thanks to his strong feel for the game.
Defensively is where the jump from D-II to the NBA is the steepest, and Thomas has taken some lumps so far, as he does not appear to be the most physical player in getting over screens. He does have good feet, a 6-11 wingspan and strong instincts though, which has shown up with some impressive playmaking ability in terms of his ability to get in passing lanes and protect the rim.
With the Cavaliers lurking near the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference, it seems likely that Thomas will at least get a chance to show that his impressive production in the G League can translate to the NBA level.
Cassius Winston, 6-1, PG, Michigan State (Erie Bayhawks), 23.0 years old, No. 53 pick in 2020 NBA draft
On assignment from the Washington Wizards, Winston has been the engine of the No. 1 seed Erie Bayhawks, delivering a calming presence on and off the ball and proving to be one of the most effective pick-and-roll players in the bubble.
Winston has been asked to pick and choose his spots on a team with quite a bit of offensive firepower, something he's done very effectively. He's made 36% of his 3-pointers, has been very efficient inside the arc and loves to whip the ball around to open shooters or cutters, setting the tone for his team with his unselfishness.
Defensively, Winston will never project as a stopper due to his average size and length, stocky frame and poor lateral quickness, but he's been playing with a strong effort level for the most part, using his outstanding feel for the game to make up for his lack of tools. He's always going to be at a disadvantage on this end of the floor, so continuing to hone his technique and maintaining a high intensity level, which has been known to waver at times, will be important for his ability to carve out a role at the NBA level.
Jordan Nwora, 6-8, PF, Louisville (Salt Lake City Stars), 21.8 years old, No. 45 pick in 2020 NBA draft
Nwora only saw 24 minutes of action before suffering a severely sprained ankle that ended his G League campaign, but made a significant impression by dropping 26 points in that time He made a series of acrobatic off-the-dribble jump-shots from beyond the arc and in the mid-range area that you don't normally see players his size convert, and displayed impressive confidence in his shot-making ability. Nwora also used his strong frame to carve out space to get to the basket, utilizing sharp changes of speed and terrific creativity around the basket.
Defensively, Nwora showed a high activity level and didn't seem to have much issue staying in front of smaller guards, something that was the primary concern that caused him to fall to the second round. Nwora plays for one of the best teams in the NBA and will have to wait for his opportunity to earn playing time once he gets healthy, but there was plenty for Bucks fans to be encouraged about based on the small sample we saw in the G League.
Tre Jones, 6-3, PG, Duke (Austin Spurs), 21.1 years old, No. 41 pick in 2020 NBA draft
Jones showed the attributes that made him ACC Player of the Year last season ... as well as the traits that caused him to fall to the middle of the second round.
Jones led his team to a sparkling 6-1 record, doing an outstanding job of running his team while leading the G League in assists at nearly 10 per game. Jones is the ultimate facilitator who is constantly looking to empower teammates by pushing ahead in transition, driving and dishing and finding open shooters out of pick-and-roll. Finally healthy after a bothersome hip injury he suffered in college, Jones looked much improved from his Duke days both in terms of his ability to beat defenders off the dribble and playing above the rim emphatically.
While Jones appeared to be making strides with his shooting as a sophomore at Duke, that hasn't translated to the pro level yet, as he looked extremely passive when presented with open jumpers, even when outright dared to shoot by receding defenders. He converted just 1-of-11 from behind the arc, and wasn't very aggressive in mid-range spots either, something that will be difficult to overcome at the NBA level.
Defensively, Jones played with his typical outstanding energy, made good decisions and was generally effective against similarly sized or smaller players -- even though bigger guards such as Kevin Porter did give him some issues.
Nick Richards, 7-0, Center, Kentucky (Greensboro Swarm), 23.2 years old, No. 42 pick in 2020 NBA draft
Richards had a productive 8-game stint in Orlando, demonstrating an expanded offensive arsenal from what we had seen at Kentucky, to go along with the same terrific rim-protection that helped him get selected in last year's draft.
Having never taken a 3-pointer in three seasons at Kentucky, it was somewhat surprising to see Richards spotting up along the perimeter and spacing Greensboro's offense. He knocked down 7 of his 14 attempts, showing excellent shooting mechanics and no hesitation when left open, a promising development in line with the improvement he's shown as a free throw shooter, where he hit 80% of his attempts.
Richards ranked as one of the best rebounders in the G League as well, and while he's a fairly limited offensive player overall, his energy combined with the defensive versatility he shows on both the perimeter and interior, gives him a solid role to grow into on the Hornets long-term. He has a better chance to become a role player at this stage than fellow center Vernon Carey, who was drafted eight spots higher than Richards in November but whose porous defense in the G League bubble looks to be a major hindrance to carving out playing time in the NBA.
Jared Harper, 5-11, PG, Auburn (Westchester Knicks), 23.4 years old, undrafted in 2019 NBA draft
Measuring only 5-9 3/4 barefoot at the 2019 NBA draft combine, Harper was deemed too small to be considered worthy of a draft pick but was arguably the best point guard in the G League last year, causing the Knicks to grant him a two-way contract in the offseason.
Tied for being the smallest player in the G League bubble, Harper nevertheless looks worthy of a look at the NBA level based on his play this season, ranking top-5 in the league in both points and assists while shooting 40% from 3.
Jet-quick in the open floor, with impressive vision operating out of pick-and-roll and outstanding shot-making ability off the dribble, Harper is a well-rounded offensive weapon. His lack of size can be a hindrance at times as a finisher around the basket, but he adds value by drawing fouls, finding teammates on the move and using a dangerous floater that helps get his shot off in traffic.
While Harper's impressive quickness and big 6-5 1/2 wingspan help make up for his lack of size to a degree, it's hard to describe him as anything more than a below-average defender. His lack of bulk makes it easy for opposing guards to drive around him and he's strictly a one-position defender who struggles to switch onto bigger players or get over the top of screens.
The Knicks' extremely crowded backcourt will likely make it difficult for Harper to find too many opportunities to showcase that his gaudy G League production can translate to NBA settings, but he likely showed enough over the past month to earn him plenty of interest next season and beyond.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams.