NBA Notebook: Rush for G-League players led to run on Maine Celtics

The Maine Celtics finished in second in the G-League standings through 12 games with 10 wins. Following an achievement that would normally elicit shrugs, the NBA received a massive need for its minor league talent when over 100 players entered COVID protocols this month. Suddenly, executive eyes darted toward the top talent in the league's development system, which hosted its showcase in Las Vegas last week. Planes immediately started racing out of the city to various NBA opportunities. 

Among those signed to 10-day hardship exceptions: Theo Pinson with the Mavericks, Luke Kornet with the Cavaliers and Juwan Morgan going north of the border to join the Raptors. All three signed with the Celtics for training camp and funneled to Maine after not making the professional roster. It didn't matter when the run on G-League rosters began earlier this month, as teams started losing their regulars and the NBA eventually mandated signing replacements after losing two players to COVID-19. More NFL practice squad than Minor League Baseball, G-League players sign with the league rather than individual team affiliates. That means they can sign with any NBA team. 

"It's very different," Ime Udoka said this week. "Obviously the guidelines by the league, allowing guys to come in and not affect the salary cap, it's almost like replacement players. We joked about it, who on our staff is available? We got Garrett Jackson, that plays with guys, and Tony Dobbins. We're looking at old film and pictures of guys, so we're joking about it back there. 

"This is the best time ever to be a G-League guy or an ex-veteran that's been available, because guys are getting snatched up left-and-right and it's like who can get them the quickest? Who can find the best guy the quickest? So we've had not only have our two-way guys in the protocol, Kornet and Theo Pinson got grabbed up, so before we could do something there possibly, other teams are snatching people. I've been through it as a G-League player, and this situation would've been ideal back then." 

Udoka would've definitely loved the roughly $60,000 that the hardship exemption deals offer over 10 days. Those figures are nearly double the base G-League contract, making it understandable why players would be more than welcome to pursue them whenever they're available under normal circumstances. Teams can then offer another 10-day from there if a packed COVID protocol list still exists, and this has all been rendered exempt from the league's salary cap amid the protocol crisis. The Nets, for example, decimated with COVID and injuries last week, would've normally faced substantial luxury tax bills on such signings.

Teams have entered protocol hell unevenly, the Bulls first earlier this month, scooping up Alfonzo McKinnie and Stanley Johnson before the NBA mandated such signings. The Lakers gave Isaiah Thomas a chance days later, after he scored 42 points with Denver's G-League affiliate. Then, after a string of signings by Orlando and Brooklyn, the Celtics signed Justin Jackson from the Dallas organization as the Mavericks scooped up Pinson. The race was on. 

Overseas players, locked into more lucrative contracts in the middle of their seasons, couldn't help in this circumstance and the G-Leaguers thinned out so quickly one source at last week's showcase said those rosters started to look like the NBA's amid COVID cases. The G-League postponed its season to Jan. 5 to replenish its rosters after so many went off the board that the Celtics turned to 15-year veteran C.J. Miles (who last played in 2019-20) when more of Boston's players entered protocol. They then signed Joe Johnson, the 40-year-old who the Celtics drafted 20 years prior and traded to Phoenix as a rookie, when the team's COVID list reached seven players. 

"We were affected a little bit later than other teams," Udoka said on Wednesday. "Teams had to find players sooner than us. That's when they grabbed Luke and some of our other guys, Theo as well, but as I mentioned, the young guys were really the first look, anyone playing decent-to-well on teams, teams were going to grab up. Then you had to go the veteran route ... I think all the young guys that have been taken so soon and early left us with the veteran choices we've had now. Obviously, we'd like to keep our guys with us if possible. They come to training camp with us, know the system, run the same system up in Maine, and so you'd like that, but circumstances happen ... so we had to go this route with the veteran guys." 

The Celtics continued to look outside the organization on Christmas Eve, signing 10-year veteran Al-Farouq Aminu and 28-year-old big Norvel Pelle, who bounced between the Nets, Kings and Knicks last year. Those moves also came on the eve of the possible returns of Al Horford, Juancho Hernángomez, two-way forward Brodric Thomas and Jabari Parker. Enes Freedom, Aaron Nesmith, Bruno Fernando and replacement players Miles and Jackson entered protocols over the past two days. Including injuries, Boston's injury report left the team with as few as six players on Christmas. Enter: replacements for the replacements. 

The NBA, trying to shorten COVID hiatuses, is pushing ahead with the season with no plans for a pause or shutdown, according to Adam Silver on ESPN this week. The replacement mandate -- which calls for one signing following two positive COVID tests, two following three, three following four and so on -- is aimed at keeping games going. Postponements have been rare amid the December outbreak, with teams only needing eight players to tip the ball off. 

The more contagious omicron variant, which reportedly accounts for three out of four cases in the US now, has complicated anti-COVID efforts like a relatively high NBA vaccination rate compared to society. Udoka alluded to that variant after Josh Richardson and Horford landed in protocols for the second time this season. Teams have aimed to increase booster rates, with each being required to hold events offering players the shot by the end of the month. The league and players haven't mandated vaccination, in line with other leagues leaning toward incentivizing it. 

In spite of the doom and gloom of daily Shams and Woj notifications, the influx of veterans have made for a fun week of veteran returns and fans musing who else could make comebacks. TD Garden raved over Johnson's first appearance and bucket since 2017-18. Udoka essentially shrugged over whether he was in shape. Who cares? They'd seen him in the Big 3 league. There wasn't a workout, he just got the call and there he was on Wednesday in No. 55. Celtics legend and radio broadcaster Cedric Maxwell, whose No. 31 got retired after Johnson wore it as a rookie, quipped with Johnson about pulling the number down from the rafters in his introductory press conference. It became a fun spectacle even if a dubious move. An all too perfect fit for 2000s Night at TD Garden. 

Ray Allen, Michael Jordan, Brian Scalabrine? Who else would rip their suit off and attempt a comeback? Ideas flooded social media, holding fans over in what projects to be an eerie Christmas slate and month ahead, where every NBA player will probably at least graze an appearance in protocols. The G-League is ready to serve, and provide a look at the underbelly of talent that can thrive if given a chance, but can't break onto rosters that typically don't lose enough players to dive into the minor league system. One, without exclusive contracts beyond two-ways, still isn't a true minor league. 

"It's basically been a mad dash," Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told BSJ on Wednesday. "You have to kind of assess your situation as far as who's gone in. Like the Celtics, for example, had a ton of power forwards go. All of our centers have gone. Some teams have gone position-by-position, some people it's just been widespread. So what we've tried to do is just assess where we were and what our biggest need was, and then go hunt that need. Obviously, we went down a ton of wings and all our centers, so our initial signing of Justin (Anderson) and Luke (Kornet), and then adding Tre (Scott), was more to fill those positions, feeling comfortable in having the point guard position locked down. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out long-term, because some of these guys, they're going to play themselves into a 10-day here, and then go to another team and get a 10-day there. So you're going to see a lot of different bodies in a lot of different jerseys until this thing gets under control." 

Elsewhere around the league...

Atlanta (15-16): Visit the Knicks at Noon Christmas. Lost to a limited Magic team in a bad offensive stumble before edging out a fairly-healthy 76ers squad. They've slipped even more defensively this month (114 defensive rating) after starting the year ranked 23rd (109). A top-10 offensive rating still renders them a net negative team (-1.2), one that for now looks bound for the play-in tournament after falling two games short of the NBA Finals last season. Trae Young, Clint Capela, Kevin Hurter, Onyeka Okongwu and five other Hawks are in COVID protocols. De'Andre Hunter is almost six weeks out from wrist surgery, which was supposed to cost him eight. Solomon Hill (hamstring) is out for the season. Cam Reddish (ankle) and Delon Wright (ankle) are probable for Saturday. Them and veterans Lance Stephenson and Malcolm Hill in on hardship deals have the team still on track to play. 

Boston (16-16): Have 12 players in COVID protocol, including Josh Richardson, Enes Freedom, Aaron Nesmith, Bruno Fernando and two hardship signings joining the list this week. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum avoided the list and have thrived playing off each other, launching Boston to 11th in offense (112.3) this month. Their defense slipped to 17th, allowing massive performances to Andrew Wiggins, Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker and Joel Embiid. They nearly blew a massive halftime lead to a floundering Knicks team, collapsed late against Philadelphia and slid by a decimated Cavs roster before week's end. They still haven't approached consistency. 

Brooklyn (21-9): Had three games postponed this past week through 13 COVID list appearances and Joe Harris' injury. James Harden, Paul Millsap, Bruce Brown and Jevon Carter cleared protocols and will play on Christmas against the Lakers, with Kevin Durant out and Kyrie Irving not making the trip after landing in protocols following Brooklyn's announcement he'd return for road games. LaMarcus Aldridge and multiple young players will miss the Christmas trip against the two LA teams too. 

Charlotte (17-17): Lit up by the Suns for 137 points, with LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier all scoring single-digits. The Jazz beat them scoring 112, before the Hornets slid by the Nuggets to end the week. Cody Martin is their lone player in COVID protocols, Charlotte maybe the most COVID-free team in the league after suffering an influx of cases earlier in the month. 

That means defense remains their biggest issue, ranking last in the NBA allowing 120 points per 100 possessions over their last 15 games. Only Mason Plumlee has a defensive rating below 110 on this team when the league median is around 109. 

Chicago (19-10): Had their midweek game against the Raptors postponed. Zach LaVine returned from COVID protocol shortly after, likely leaving their COVID issues in the rearview. Demar DeRozan led the team through with 38 points over the Lakers and 26 in a blowout over the Rockets to begin the week. Alfonzo McKinnie, who scored 16 points against Houston, signed a second 10-day contract with the team. Alex Caruso will miss over one week with a foot injury. 

Cleveland (19-13): Lost to Boston on Wednesday without Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Isaac Okoro, with Kevin Love, Darius Garland and Cedi Osman's 59 points unable to top Brown and Tatum's. They're still the top team in net rating (+11), tied with Utah, over the last 15 games. Seven players remain in COVID protocol, with a home game against Toronto then trips to New Orleans and Washington early next week. They've added Cleveland's Tre Scott and Maine's Luke Kornet as hardship signings. 

Dallas (15-16): Luka Dončić, Tim Hardaway Jr. and four other Mavericks will be in COVID protocol for the Mavericks' Christmas nightcap at the Jazz. Kristaps Porzingis missed Thursday's loss to Milwaukee with a toe injury. Willie Cauley-Stein is out Saturday for personal reasons Maine's Theo Pinson, Marquese Chriss and Charlie Brown Jr. joined the team on hardship contracts. Good grief. 

Denver (15-16): Aaron Gordon (hamstring) joined the walking wounded as Nikola Jokic's 29 points, 21 rebounds and five assists weren't enough to beat the Hornets. They lost midweek to the Thunder with Jokic's 13 points leading all Denver scorers, as Jeff Green, Vlatko Cančar and Facundo Campazzo became outsized parts of their rotation. Their defense slid to 18th in defense this month and their offense hung on at 13th, waiting for one last blow to knock them out of this snake-bitten season. 

Detroit (5-26): Five players including Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart along with Kelly Olynyk and Jerami Grant's injuries made for a wacky three-point loss at the Heat. Saddiq Bey and Cory Joseph played 40 minutes and led the offense, Trey Lyles scored 28 points and they played both Hamidou Diallo and Cheick Diallo (the latter signed from Cleveland's G-League). Like the Bogdanovics, the American and Mali-born players, respectively, share no relation. 

Golden State (26-6): Missing Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole and Damion Lee in COVID protocol. They've kept rolling anyway, with 76 points from MVP frontrunner Steph Curry in wins over Sacramento and Memphis. They play another potential west finals preview against the Suns in Phoenix tomorrow, possibly without Andre Iguodala (knee). The returns of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman appear to fall deeper into January. 

Houston (10-23): Lost three straight allowing massive offensive performances to the Bulls, Bucks and Pacers. Jalen Green scored 20 points after a 14-game absence with a hamstring injury on Thursday. His injury had fallen in line with the team's best stretch of play all season. The No. 2 overall pick talked about the game slowing down, and Stephen Silas loved how he did all his work with a 25-minute limit. Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) expects to return after Christmas.

"(Green) was really good, Silas said. "Quick decisions, shot his catch-and-shoot. I think we saw less isolation, dribble, dribble, dribble, which is great."  

Indiana (14-19): Lost badly to the Heat before bouncing back over the Rockets. Malcolm Brogdon missed time with achilles soreness at the end of the week and Domantas Sabonis (calf), with Myles Turner and Caris LeVert stepping up with 56 points in their place yesterday. They'll be the most-watched trade team into the new year as T.J. Warren's return slowly looms and they remain out of the play-in race. 

Clippers (17-15): Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris entered COVID protocols this week. Paul George led the team to a loss against San Antonio and win over Sacramento this week. The Clippers are in play for a home-court seed, just behind Memphis, and confident Kawhi Leonard will return this season following ACL surgery. Team executive Jerry West raved about how the forward is moving this week. 

Lakers (16-17): Hit a new low in a blowout loss, 138-110, against the Spurs. They allowed Keita Bates-Diop to shoot 11-for-11, Derrick White 7-for-11 and Lonnie Walker IV 7-for-12. On one play, LeBron James took the ball one-on-five into the offensive end as the rest of his teammates stand behind, now ranking in the bottom-five of the NBA over their last 15 games. The Lakers, according to ESPN, lead the NBA in percentage of time spent walking on the floor. This is how the team "closed" Staples Center (along with a Gary Payton appearance). 

Worse, Anthony Davis will miss 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. Trevor Ariza, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Avery Bradley and Kent Bazemore are in COVID protocols, while Kendrick Nunn, who hasn't played for the team yet, entered protocols and exited still needing to miss time with a knee bruise. Isaiah Thomas, Jemerrio Jones, Darren Collison and Stanley Johnson joined the team on hardship deals.

Memphis (19-14): The No. 1 defense in the NBA over the last 15 games after starting the year in last. They're currently the four seed in the east, even with Ja Morant missing 12 games. Desmond Bane emerged in a playmaking role and shot 44% from three and Dillon Brooks is averaging 20 points per game in December. De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson averaged nearly 2.0 SPG while Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr. approached 2.0 BPG. Their defense had thrived so much in Morant's absence that some fans booed him through two losses following his return. 

"I was running down the court and I heard some fans court-side tell me I need to sit back out," Morant said. "Normally when anybody says something negative about me, it fuels me. But tonight, the remarks from the fans actually hurt."

Miami (20-13): Lost Dewayne Dedmon to an MCL sprain for 1-2 weeks, Caleb Martin to COVID protocols and P.J. Tucker is dealing with nerve inflammation. Jimmy Butler (knee) and Bam Adebayo (thumb) remain out, while Markieff Morris has missed 23 games since his dust-up with Jokic.

Former Celtic Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson led them to a 2-1 week with double-figure scoring. They've fallen to 19th in offense through all their injuries, but their 12th-ranked defense held sturdy. 

Milwaukee (21-13): Giannis Antetokounmpo cleared COVID protocols and according to ESPN should suit up against the Celtics on Christmas. Boston edged Milwaukee out at home last time, with Al Horford (questionable Saturday) holding the MVP to 7-for-14 shooting and liberal passing. Bobby Portis should return too, with Donte DiVincenzo questionable to clear protocols and make his season debut. 

DeMarcus Cousins filled Giannis' role in the pick-and-roll with Khris Middleton, scoring 22 points in the team's win over Dallas. He's averaging 8.4 PPG in 11 games with Milwaukee. 

Minnesota (15-17): Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and five other Wolves entered COVID protocols this week, derailing the team's hope of finding some consistency. Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell's scoring couldn't top the Jazz, and they'll host the Celtics on Monday likely to be short-handed without Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt and more. 

New Orleans (12-21): Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a favorite of mine from the 2019 draft class, hit his stride with 27 points against Portland and Brandon Ingram scored 59 points in the Pelicans' last two games as New Orleans hit four straight wins. They're two games back in the play-in race, but lost Alexander-Walker to COVID protocols late this week. 

New York (14-18): Kemba Walker returned to the Knicks rotation after a nine-game benching in the wake of COVID and injury-related roster turmoil. He dropped 29 points in his return to Boston, affirming he deserves to play, before scoring 21 on Detroit and 44 in a narrow loss to the Wizards. Evan Fournier and Julius Randle's inconsistency continues, while the team ranks bottom-five in defense this month. 

Derrick Rose now expects to miss eight weeks following ankle surgery, a major blow as R.J. Barrett exited COVID protocols. Miles McBride, Nerlens Noel and Kevin Knox are still in, with Immanuel Quickley out, but unlikely to play against the Hawks on Christmas. 

Oklahoma City (11-20): Stole close wins over the Clippers, Grizzlies and Nuggets this week before falling to the Suns. They've avoided the COVID surge around the league, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 25.4 PPG this month, Lu Dort 17.1, and Josh Giddey 13.1 as the team's young big three continues to solidify itself as a competitive core. Their efficiency is woeful though, ranking last this month with a 103 offensive rating. 

Orlando (7-26): Robin Lopez is playing and shining, notching 11 assists in a surprising win over the Hawks after pouring 20 points over Brooklyn in their prior win. The Magic rank 25th in offense and 22nd in defense this month, with Terrence Ross, Mo Bamba and three other Magic in COVID protocols, but Franz Wagner continues to play near the top of his draft as the only rookie with 15 games in a row scoring at least 10 points.

Philadelphia (16-16): Tyrese Maxey cleared protocols following a Joel Embiid performance over Boston, 41 point, 10 rebound and five points, reminiscent of his MVP runner-up season last year. Maxey's home caught fire on Christmas Eve, but he and his family reportedly avoided any injuries. Georges Niang, Danny Green, Andre Drummond and Shake Milton entered protocols this week. 

Phoenix (26-5): Host the Warriors in the headliner game on Christmas with the best record in the NBA. They're largely healthy and COVID free, pouring 108 points or more through another five-game win streak. Devin Booker is shooting 48% from the field and 54% from three in three games since returning from hamstring injury. Otherwise, the Suns have slipped in efficiency on offense this month (22nd), leaning on a second-ranked defense as arguably the most well-rounded team in the NBA. It'll be a crime if we don't get a healthy Warriors-Suns WCF. 

Portland (13-19): Watch for them to strike first in the trade market and salvage Damian Lillard's future with the team after they fell to 28th in offense and 24th in defense to start this month. They're a legitimately bad team, and C.J. McCollum's (collapsed lung) return should help some, but won't reverse their two-way dismay. Dennis Smith Jr. and Trendon Watford entered COVID protocol late this week. 

Sacramento (13-20): De'Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell and five other Kings entered COVID protocols this week. The Kings are 5-6 this month, part of a group of teams looking like they're trying to avoid the play-in slot that's there for the taking. Tyrese Haliburton, averaging 13.1 PPG and 6.4 APG in his second season, has been a bright spot with four straight points and assists double-doubles. 

San Antonio (13-18): They've put up some mighty offensive showings recently, including their aforementioned pounding of the Lakers. Dejounte Murray pounded the Clippers and highlighted a loss to the Kings, while Derrick White and Keldon Johnson (46 points) topped the Jazz. They're 5-3 over their last eight, ahead of Portland by 0.5 games for the 10 seed, with Zach Collins' eventual return to look forward to.

Gregg Popovich for coach of the year, anyone?

Toronto (14-15): Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and five other Raptors entered COVID protocols and had their midweek game in Chicago postponed due to Toronto falling below eight players. Maine's Juwan Morgan, former Celtic Tremont Waters and D.J. Wilson joined the team on hardships, which should allow the team to play Sunday even if Khem Birch (knee), David Johnson (calf) and Justin Champagnie (illness) remain out.

Utah (22-9): Rudy Gobert threw 23 points and 21 rebounds down on Charlotte before scoring 20 points with 17 rebounds in a win over Minnesota. Gobert, regularly disrespected, is having the best year of his career.

Utah is in cruise control, healthy and 8-2 this month, as Danny Ainge begins assessing what he admitted is already a pretty great roster. They're trying to translate regular-season success to the playoffs, so it'll be interesting to see if they make any proactive moves. Joe Ingles, averaging 8.0 PPG this month, is a free agent this summer.  

Washington (17-15): Bradley Beal scored 37 points against Utah and Spencer Dinwiddie bounced back from a 0-point performance in that game to score 21 in a win over New York. Beal entered COVID protocols with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this week. Washington still sits in a precarious position, 21st in offense and 28th in defense this month, but Rui Hachimura became available for the first time this season against the Knicks and Thomas Bryant's return could be soon to follow. Shooting is a big issue, Dinwiddie seems lost most nights and their rim protection is woeful. They've been the league's greatest regressor among the hot starters. 

Keep an eye on their vaccination statuses too, after Washington D.C. passed an indoor vaccination mandate (effective Jan. 15) that does not exempt Wizards players. Beal said in September he's unvaccinated.