Who's got next? The first-round picks and G League standouts ready to be called up

Since Dec. 10, 80 players have signed 10-day contracts with NBA teams via the hardship exception, as the new rule has provided a huge opportunity for G Leaguers to capitalize on the dozens of NBA players currently in health and safety protocols.

While the reduction in the number of quarantine days (from 10 to six) required for COVID-positive players will likely reduce the demand as players exit protocols quicker, there are still a select few NBA teams who have yet to call up a single player (due to a lack of outbreaks), while a few more have only called up a single player thus far. Should we see the type of outbreaks occurring on these healthier teams that ravaged the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors and others, there could certainly be another surge in callups in the coming weeks.

With that in mind, here are some of the top candidates -- including some 2021 first-round picks -- to receive call-ups according to NBA executives.

First-round rookie check-in

Of the 60 draftees from 2021, 24 have played at least five games in the G League this season, several of which took to the hardwood at the G League Showcase. How did the 2021 first-round picks fare in Las Vegas? Will any be able to crack the rotation after the New Year?

Joshua Primo | 6-6 | SG | San Antonio Spurs | Age: 19.0 | No. 12 pick

When the Spurs drafted Primo No. 12 overall ahead of more productive collegiate prospects like Chris Duarte, Corey Kispert or Moses Moody, they were essentially buying in a year early on a prospect who could have ultimately been selected in the top-5 if he stayed at Alabama and entered the draft in 2022. The thought amongst Primo's biggest supporters league-wide was that the 6-5 Canadian guard had far more shot-creation than most scouts saw during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, where he came off the bench and played mostly a catch-and-shoot role.

Primo showed exactly why that thinking had merit with his play in Las Vegas, where he averaged 17 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in 31.5 minutes in two wins while shooting 8-of-18 from 2 and 5-of-11 from 3. Primo went for 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 threes in a blowout win over the G League Ignite and fellow teenagers Dyson Daniels and Jaden Hardy. He made 3s off the catch, changed speeds impressively in pick-and-roll, rose up in mid-range, dropped in finesse shots in the paint and showcased the ability to both hit the roller and the wing shooter out of ball screens. Primo also flashed his stellar defensive potential, using his length and improved frame to bother both jump shots and finishes around the rim as both the primary and helpside defender.

The recently-turned 19-year-old was still a turnover machine out of pick-and-roll, coughing the ball up 7 times per game in Vegas due to inaccurate deliveries. He struggles to finish through length and contact consistently. For all the potential he displays defensively, he'll still get stuck on screens or get beat in a box out situation. But Primo showed enough of his two-way talent in Las Vegas to instill optimism about his long-term upside, even if it takes until next season to see his talent come to life in the NBA.

With the Spurs still in the playoff hunt and perimeter players such as Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Lonnie Walker all ahead of him on the depth chart, will his jolts of G League success be enough for him to earn real NBA minutes in 2022? Primo scored an NBA career-high 9 points in 15 minutes during a blowout win over the Pistons following the G League Showcase, as he knocked down two spot 3s and a late-game step back. That, along with Murray still being in COVID-19 protocols, helped earn him four minutes in a competitive game against the Jazz. Given how high he was drafted and the flashes of long-term potential we've seen so far, Primo's development is something scouts league wide will have a close eye on for the rest of the season. -- Mike Schmitz

Kai Jones | 6-10 | PF-C | Charlotte Hornets | Age: 20.9 | No. 19 pick

Averaging 10 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 25 minutes over two games in Vegas, Jones showed both what makes him an intriguing long-term prospect for Charlotte as a rim-running, lob-catching center while also proving he's still a ways away from being able to contribute consistently at the NBA level. With elite feet getting out of screens, Jones caught multiple lobs well above the rim, made 2 of 4 triples (he's now up to 43% from 3 on the year), and blocked four shots in two games thanks to his length and quickness. He's also still too sped up playing off the catch or out of handoffs, has issues defending without fouling at times and is still learning the nuances of team defense. The 20-year-old doesn't appear poised to jump into the Hornets rotation and make a major impact this season, but if he can continue developing in Greensboro, he could eventually give LaMelo Ball and coach James Borrego something they don't have on this Hornets roster: a rim-running, lob-catching, switchable center who can step out and make an occasional 3. -- Mike Schmitz

Jalen Johnson | 6-8 | SF-PF | Atlanta Hawks | Age: 20.0 | No. 20 pick

Johnson had an up-and-down showing in Vegas, posting big box score numbers with 19 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in an overtime win over Memphis while proving he has room to improve as a shooter (0-for-2 from 3), finisher, team defender, and decision-maker (8 turnovers). When at his best, Johnson is a rarity at the G League level - a 6-8 forward who can impact the game all over the floor on both ends when engaged and not trying to do too much. The fact that Johnson is shooting 38% from 3 on almost 50 attempts is a welcome sign for his long-term outlook. He's not out of place physically in an NBA game either, which bodes well for his potential to earn spot minutes after the new year.

With that said, as we saw glimpses of during his 15 minutes of action against the Knicks on Christmas Day, Johnson (now in COVID-19 protocols) still isn't a consistent threat in spot-up situations, either struggling to make shots or turning down open looks and gravitating toward the dunker. He still has room to grow into the versatile defender his tools suggest, also, even if he's proven capable of checking players ranging from Julius Randle to RJ Barrett over the course of a game. If Johnson can continue growing in those two areas, particularly his shooting, he certainly has the physical ability and talent to evolve into an eventual rotation player for the Hawks. -- Mike Schmitz

Keon Johnson | 6-4 | SG | LA Clippers | Age: 19.6 | No. 21 pick

Johnson wasn't overly efficient or productive in 28 minutes for the Agua Caliente Clippers, finishing with just 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists while misfiring on both of his triples. With that said, Johnson has had some bright spots on assignment this season, most recently exploding for 27 points and 8 assists on only 16 shots (3-for-6 from 3) in a win over the South Bay Lakers. With the Clippers banged up and in the midst of a tough road trip, Johnson appears firmly in Ty Lue's rotation, most recently scoring an NBA career-best 15 points in 17 minutes during a Monday night loss to the Nets.

The 19-year-old has now played at least 10 minutes in each of the Clippers' last 3 games, with his performance against Brooklyn as the template for the bouncy 6-5 guard moving forward. Johnson added value as an off ball cutter, offensive rebounder, straight line driver, and corner 3-point shooter, while also knocking down a pull-up 3 with the Nets darting well under ball screens. He also did his best to try and bother James Harden at the point of attack, even if his discipline and overall awareness still have room to improve on the defensive end. It didn't take long for fellow rookie BJ Boston to prove he should have been a first-round pick with how he's played in the NBA, and if Johnson can continue showing more signs of promise like he did against the Nets, the Clippers will have to feel good about their 2021 draft haul, especially with 6-5 point guard Jason Preston still in the fold recovering from injury. -- Mike Schmitz

The G-Leaguers pushing for an NBA call-up

Jordan Bell | 6-8 | PF/C | Oregon (Santa Cruz Warriors) | Age: 26.9

With 192 NBA games under his belt, including a starting spot in the 2019 NBA Finals for the Golden State Warriors, Bell certainly wouldn't look out of place on an NBA roster. He's one of the best rebounders (12.8 in 28 minutes) and most versatile defenders in the G League, while offering excellent court vision and passing ability (3.8 assists).

Bell doesn't fit most teams' idea of a center, due to his lack of shooting range, size and bulk. But he could easily stick again in the right situation for a team that values his versatility, energy and smarts. -- Jonathan Givony

DaQuan Jeffries | 6-5 | SF | Tulsa (College Park Skyhawks) | Age: 24.3

The hard-nosed, versatile defender spent each of the past two seasons on an NBA contract, and would have likely been called up on a 10-day hardship deal already had he not suffered a knee injury during the G League Showcase. He's day-to-day currently and should move to the front of the line of available wing players once he's cleared. Jeffries' 6-11 wingspan and 230-pound frame allow him to play much bigger than his height. Streaky shooting (29% from 3 in 44 NBA games) was the main thing holding Jeffries back from sticking in the NBA, but someone will almost certainly kick the tires on him when healthy now that he's been more consistent (48% from 3 on 2-of-50 shooting) in the G League. -- Jonathan Givony

Kyle Guy | 6-2 | PG/SG | Virginia (Cleveland Charge) | Age: 24.3

The No. 55 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Guy spent two seasons on a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings but was not re-signed this past summer. Known for his 3-point shooting at Virginia, Guy is hitting 3.4 3-pointers per game this season, while averaging 7.8 rebounds. Guy is also a capable secondary ball-handling and passing option, unlike most of the "shooters" in the available pool, hitting 56% of his 2-pointers and dishing out 4.4 assists per game.

While undersized with a slight 168-pound frame and average length, his defensive abilities will always be a question. Guy could certainly hold his own on the offensive end and would have likely already received a call up had he not entered COVID protocols before the G League Showcase -- which he has now been cleared from. -- Jonathan Givony

Anthony Lamb | 6-6 | SF/PF | Vermont (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) | Age: 23.9

Lamb went undrafted in 2020, but earned a two-way contract from the Houston Rockets thanks to strong play in the G League Bubble last February. He had several notable performances with the Rockets subsequently, leading to another deal last off-season. A roster crunch saw him waived in October, but he's again playing well in the G League, hitting 42% of his 3-pointers on 96 attempts.

Unluckily, he suffered a knee injury in the opening game of the G League Showcase, causing him to miss the initial wave of callups, but will likely be one of the top forward candidates when he's cleared sometime next week. Lamb doesn't necessarily look the part of an NBA wing due to his pudgy frame, but his sweet shooting stroke coupled with his excellent feel for the game makes him a solid option for a team in a pinch. -- Jonathan Givony

Isaiah Miller | 6-0 | PG/SG | UNC-Greensboro (Iowa Wolves) | Age: 23.1

Undrafted this past July, Miller doesn't start for the Wolves, and may not be the readiest player to step onto an NBA court tomorrow, but he may have the highest long-term upside of anyone on this list. Undersized with a slight frame, Miller has extremely long arms and explosiveness, NBA dunk contest-caliber potential and defensive toughness. Miller was a three-time defensive player of the year in the ​​Southern Conference for a reason and brings the type of intensity and fearlessness, à la Patrick Beverley, that an NBA coach might appreciate for short stretches. He's hitting just 32% from 3 this season, which could be enough perimeter shooting for a team to give him a shot based on his potential. -- Jonathan Givony

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.

Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.