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7 G League Players Ready for the NBA in 2024-25
Harry Potter • September 23rd, 2024 8:11 pm
Sample Description
The G League continues to help develop prospects into NBA players.
Based on last season's standouts and/or brief flashes after call-ups, we have highlighted seven names who deserve an early look or could emerge as regularly used bench options later in the year.
In certain cases, it may take an injury for a deep team to have a need for a G Leaguer. But we're mostly ignoring team situations for now, given how quickly they can change.
Instead, these are players who appear ready to graduate and make the jump, or who have a specific skill set that could lead to a plug-and-play fit.
We only looked at players who played more minutes in the G League than the NBA last year, regardless of whether they're signed to pro deals or not.
Based on last season's standouts and/or brief flashes after call-ups, we have highlighted seven names who deserve an early look or could emerge as regularly used bench options later in the year.
In certain cases, it may take an injury for a deep team to have a need for a G Leaguer. But we're mostly ignoring team situations for now, given how quickly they can change.
Instead, these are players who appear ready to graduate and make the jump, or who have a specific skill set that could lead to a plug-and-play fit.
We only looked at players who played more minutes in the G League than the NBA last year, regardless of whether they're signed to pro deals or not.
Colin Castleton, South Bay Lakers
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Current status: Two-way contract, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers could look to Colin Castleton soon for backup center minutes.
He's coming off a strong summer league after averaging a double-double in the G League. And still, as efficient as he's been scoring from the post and finishing plays, it's the passing that's popped most.
Though the 24-year-old wouldn't be able to provide L.A.'s frontcourt with the same athletic ability as Jaxson Hayes, he could give it a different look with his ability to facilitate and even create for himself playing back to the basket.
He shows excellent patience and poise with the ball, along with impressive touch around the key.
At 6'10", 250 pounds, Castleton has flashed enough skill, IQ and size for shot-blocking to justify a call-up and the chance to earn minutes behind Anthony Davis.
Johnny Juzang, Salt Lake City Stars
Current status: Under contract, Utah Jazz
Johnny Juzang looked like a pro with the Utah Jazz late last season, after he averaged 20.5 points in 34 games for the Salt Lake City Stars.
He shot 41.6 percent from deep in 20 NBA appearances, and it's no question that the main draw to the 23-year-old is his shotmaking. He shot 45.6 percent on catch-and-shoot chances, per Synergy Sports.
Juzang also made 57.6 percent of his twos, though. He capitalized in transition and from off the ball, showing a good feel on his drives, touch in the lane and timing on his cuts.
Utah does have potentially higher-priority prospects to develop, including 2024 lottery pick Cody Williams and former first-rounder Brice Sensabaugh. But Juzang made a compelling case for minutes in both the G League and his 372 NBA minutes.
Johnny Juzang looked like a pro with the Utah Jazz late last season, after he averaged 20.5 points in 34 games for the Salt Lake City Stars.
He shot 41.6 percent from deep in 20 NBA appearances, and it's no question that the main draw to the 23-year-old is his shotmaking. He shot 45.6 percent on catch-and-shoot chances, per Synergy Sports.
Juzang also made 57.6 percent of his twos, though. He capitalized in transition and from off the ball, showing a good feel on his drives, touch in the lane and timing on his cuts.
Utah does have potentially higher-priority prospects to develop, including 2024 lottery pick Cody Williams and former first-rounder Brice Sensabaugh. But Juzang made a compelling case for minutes in both the G League and his 372 NBA minutes.
Leonard Miller, Iowa Wolves
Current status: Under contract, Minnesota Timberwolves
Shooting was considered a pre-draft swing skill for Leonard Miller, and he's made encouraging improvement with the Iowa Wolves.
A 6'10" wing or forward, he can be used in a variety of ways with his size, passing, slashing fluidity and shotmaking capabilities. He's shown he can handle in transition, attack closeouts in the half court or roll and pop off screens. A more reliable three-ball ultimately unlocks the scoring versatility that the Minnesota Timberwolves should covet.
Miller has also been an active rebounder dating back to his time with Ignite.
Minnesota did just draft Terrence Shannon Jr., who's over three years older than Miller. But its 2023 second-round pick deserves the first crack at joining the rotation, particularly if he's able to build on the progress he's made with his shot.
Shooting was considered a pre-draft swing skill for Leonard Miller, and he's made encouraging improvement with the Iowa Wolves.
A 6'10" wing or forward, he can be used in a variety of ways with his size, passing, slashing fluidity and shotmaking capabilities. He's shown he can handle in transition, attack closeouts in the half court or roll and pop off screens. A more reliable three-ball ultimately unlocks the scoring versatility that the Minnesota Timberwolves should covet.
Miller has also been an active rebounder dating back to his time with Ignite.
Minnesota did just draft Terrence Shannon Jr., who's over three years older than Miller. But its 2023 second-round pick deserves the first crack at joining the rotation, particularly if he's able to build on the progress he's made with his shot.
