NBA Hopefuls Face July Challenges
Their fates were dramatically different on NBA draft night, and their wallets also offer a significant contrast, but all 2006 ACC draft picks and free agents now have at least one thing in common: College is behind them, they must prove themselves all over again, and the heavy lifting resumes in July.
At least 12 players from 2005-06 ACC rosters -- including first-round draft picks, second-round selections and longshot free agents -- will play this month in various NBA-sanctioned summer leagues. What's at stake? That depends on the player.
The league's three first-round draft picks, Duke forward Shelden Williams, Duke guard J.J. Redick and N.C. State forward Cedric Simmons, earned two-year guaranteed contracts via their draft slots. Their summer-league appearances are designed to give them a jump on the 2006-07 season rather than to force them to battle for a roster spot. After all, they'll get paid a lot of money over the next two seasons, whether or not they make the team, which they almost certainly will because of the money invested in them.
The conference's four second-round selections, Boston College forward Craig Smith, North Carolina swingman David Noel, Florida State forward Alexander Johnson and Miami guard Guillermo Diaz, face less predictable futures. Second-round picks don't get guaranteed contracts unless they negotiate for them, which doesn't happen often, and those who make the team often earn the NBA minimum salary ($412,000 next season). A record number of second-rounders stuck with their NBA teams last year, in part because of the league's expansion to a 15-man roster and the presence of the NBDL.
The ACC's free agents (see below) typically face a long, difficult road that could toss them into a ditch at any time. Even in the best-case scenario, a player must impress in one or two of the NBA-sponsored summer leagues (see below) just to get an invitation to a team's 2006 training camp this fall. At that point, he still faces the challenge of winning a 2006-07 roster spot, often while going head-to-head against players who have guaranteed deals, before he can qualify for the NBA minimum salary. All the while, he needs to play well enough to impress any international scouts who may be watching, just in case.
The Vegas Summer League will take place from July 6-14 in Las Vegas. It will feature teams from the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
The Southern California Summer Pro League will take place from July 8-19 in Long Beach, Calif. It will feature teams from the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.
The Pepsi Pro Summer League will take place from July 10-14 in Orlando. It will feature teams from the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic.
The Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue summer league will take place from July 14-21 in Salt Lake City. It will feature teams from the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Sonics and Utah Jazz.
ACC In First Round:
Shelden Williams, Duke -- Atlanta Hawks (fifth overall)
J.J. Redick, Duke -- Orlando Magic (11th overall)
Cedric Simmons, N.C. State -- New Orleans Hornets (15th overall)
ACC In Second Round:
Craig Smith, Boston College -- Minnesota Timberwolves (36th overall)
David Noel, North Carolina -- Milwaukee Bucks (39th overall)
Alexander Johnson, Florida State -- Memphis Grizzlies (via trade, 45th overall)
Guillermo Diaz, Miami -- Los Angeles Clippers (52nd overall)
ACC Summer League Invitees:
Akin Akingbala, Clemson -- Boston Celtics
Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland -- Detroit Pistons
Justin Gray, Wake Forest -- Toronto Raptors
Robert Hite, Miami -- Miami Heat (summer league mini-camp)
Eric Williams, Wake Forest -- New Jersey Nets
At the time of this post, the following draft-eligible ACC products had not yet hooked on with an NBA summer league team: N.C. State guard Cameron Bennerman, N.C. State guard Tony Bethel, Duke guard Sean Dockery, Wake Forest forward Chris Ellis, N.C. State forward Ilian Evtimov, Maryland forward Travis Garrison, Maryland guard Chris McCray, Clemson guard Shawan Robinson, Florida State forward Diego Romero and Wake Forest forward Trent Strickland.
Most of these unaffiliated free agents already are discussing contracts with teams overseas. Some, especially Bennerman, Dockery and McCray, also are still hoping for a call from the NBA.
At least 12 players from 2005-06 ACC rosters -- including first-round draft picks, second-round selections and longshot free agents -- will play this month in various NBA-sanctioned summer leagues. What's at stake? That depends on the player.
The league's three first-round draft picks, Duke forward Shelden Williams, Duke guard J.J. Redick and N.C. State forward Cedric Simmons, earned two-year guaranteed contracts via their draft slots. Their summer-league appearances are designed to give them a jump on the 2006-07 season rather than to force them to battle for a roster spot. After all, they'll get paid a lot of money over the next two seasons, whether or not they make the team, which they almost certainly will because of the money invested in them.
The conference's four second-round selections, Boston College forward Craig Smith, North Carolina swingman David Noel, Florida State forward Alexander Johnson and Miami guard Guillermo Diaz, face less predictable futures. Second-round picks don't get guaranteed contracts unless they negotiate for them, which doesn't happen often, and those who make the team often earn the NBA minimum salary ($412,000 next season). A record number of second-rounders stuck with their NBA teams last year, in part because of the league's expansion to a 15-man roster and the presence of the NBDL.
The ACC's free agents (see below) typically face a long, difficult road that could toss them into a ditch at any time. Even in the best-case scenario, a player must impress in one or two of the NBA-sponsored summer leagues (see below) just to get an invitation to a team's 2006 training camp this fall. At that point, he still faces the challenge of winning a 2006-07 roster spot, often while going head-to-head against players who have guaranteed deals, before he can qualify for the NBA minimum salary. All the while, he needs to play well enough to impress any international scouts who may be watching, just in case.
The Vegas Summer League will take place from July 6-14 in Las Vegas. It will feature teams from the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
The Southern California Summer Pro League will take place from July 8-19 in Long Beach, Calif. It will feature teams from the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.
The Pepsi Pro Summer League will take place from July 10-14 in Orlando. It will feature teams from the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic.
The Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue summer league will take place from July 14-21 in Salt Lake City. It will feature teams from the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Sonics and Utah Jazz.
ACC In First Round:
Shelden Williams, Duke -- Atlanta Hawks (fifth overall)
J.J. Redick, Duke -- Orlando Magic (11th overall)
Cedric Simmons, N.C. State -- New Orleans Hornets (15th overall)
ACC In Second Round:
Craig Smith, Boston College -- Minnesota Timberwolves (36th overall)
David Noel, North Carolina -- Milwaukee Bucks (39th overall)
Alexander Johnson, Florida State -- Memphis Grizzlies (via trade, 45th overall)
Guillermo Diaz, Miami -- Los Angeles Clippers (52nd overall)
ACC Summer League Invitees:
Akin Akingbala, Clemson -- Boston Celtics
Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland -- Detroit Pistons
Justin Gray, Wake Forest -- Toronto Raptors
Robert Hite, Miami -- Miami Heat (summer league mini-camp)
Eric Williams, Wake Forest -- New Jersey Nets
At the time of this post, the following draft-eligible ACC products had not yet hooked on with an NBA summer league team: N.C. State guard Cameron Bennerman, N.C. State guard Tony Bethel, Duke guard Sean Dockery, Wake Forest forward Chris Ellis, N.C. State forward Ilian Evtimov, Maryland forward Travis Garrison, Maryland guard Chris McCray, Clemson guard Shawan Robinson, Florida State forward Diego Romero and Wake Forest forward Trent Strickland.
Most of these unaffiliated free agents already are discussing contracts with teams overseas. Some, especially Bennerman, Dockery and McCray, also are still hoping for a call from the NBA.
posted by Los Angeles Lakers @ 5:46 PM
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