The trend of NBA teams using the D-League like a real minor league — which it is but wasn’t really used like it — continues with three more NBA players under rookie contracts being sent down for seasoning Monday.
The biggest name is Devin Ebanks, the Lakers second-round pick who has played in 12 games for the defending champions. Frankly that was less about Ebanks skill and more about injuries depleting the Lakers. Phil Jackson is not a fan of playing rookies big minutes.
He will be playing for the Bakersfield Jam.
In other actions, the Cleveland Cavaliers sent rookie Samardo Samuels has been assigned to the D-League’s Erie franchise. Also, the Atlanta Hawks sent guard Pape Sy to the Utah Flash.
In all three cases this is about getting the players some experience, rather than them sitting on the end of the bench just watching games.
