Ridiculous Transactions: 8/15-8/21

by Jon L on Aug 22, 2025 10:00 AM EDT in D-League Comment 8 comments

Former Colorado 14er Sonny Weems is on the move again.

View full size photo uploaded August 21, 2025

We've done this enough that hopefully I don't have to explain what "Ridiculous Transactions" is, but if you're still confused consult this post. Not much happened this week, but a few signings still worth talking about and a trade involving a pair of former D-Leaguers.

August 16: Rob Kurz - signed a non guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kurz played 40 games with the Warriors last year, and he played okay with the Timberwolves' Summer League team this year. He's a 6'9" three-point shooting specialist, which might work in an offense where Shaquille O'Neal is chained to the post and LeBron James drives and kicks out, but the Cavaliers have signed too many forwards this offseason for me to think Kurz could stick. He may end up in the D-League this year.

August 18: Tulsa 66ers - hired Dale Osbourne as assistant coach; Milwaukee Bucks - Traded Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems to the Toronto Raptors for Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic; University of the District of Columbia - hired Jeff Ruland as head coach; Trey Johnson - signed with Gravelines (France).

A few news items regarding some current/former D-League coaches. Ruland was head coach of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds a few seasons ago, when they went 22-28. Last season he was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers where his job was to work with post players. Frankly, I had no idea that UDC had a basketball team, but it looks like they're Division II. As for Osbourne, he's coached all over minor league basketball and the WNBA, and spent the last few seasons as the lead assistant for the Utah Flash. Combined with the hiring of Nate Tibbetts as the head man, it appears the Thunder realize that having guys with coaching experience isn't at odds with its player development goals. See Marge? These guys get it.

Trey Johnson-wise, now that he, Richie Frahm, Dominique Coleman, Luke Jackson and Gary Forbes have all signed overseas, there aren't going to be many three-point shooters left in the D-League next year. (Also, I know it's not pronounced the same way, but how cool is a team named Gravelines? I feel like that should be a band from here in Austin or something. In fact, I'm starting a band called that. Don't steal it.)

Dear Toronto Raptors - PLEASE DON'T CUT SONNY WEEMS. Thank you.

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Read More: Trey Johnson (G - CLE), Rob Kurz (F - GSW), LeBron James (F - CLE), Roko Ukic (G - MIL), Carlos Delfino (G - MIL), Amir Johnson (F - TOR), Sonny Weems (G - TOR), Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks

Comments

Is it already safe to say the D-League won't have that much quality next season - unless it comes from the players sent down from their NBA teams?

by Norsktroll on Aug 22, 2025 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shhhhhh

Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.

by Aisander D on Aug 22, 2025 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sure other guys will step up

plus there will be players who will get cut during/after the NBA pre-season who will likely make their way to the D-League (like Kurz, perhaps) who will play well.

Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.

by Jon L on Aug 22, 2025 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

Not even close, my friend. While it may end up happening due to some random factors, the fact that some of the better D-Leaguer’s are going overseas doesn’t mean a lot.
To back these claims, I’d like to point out in the past three seasons (since the D-League completely took over as the top USA minor league when it picked up the top 4 CBA teams), only two players finished in the top 10 in scoring two of the three seasons (Desmon Farmer and Jawad Williams). The same goes for rebounds (Lance Allred, Elton Brown). I’ve only been watching the league for these three seasons, but I feel it’s gotten stronger each season.
As Jon L pointed out above, with the guys that don’t make it out of NBA camps and the guys that have spent a season or two overseas and decide to come back, I’m assuming they’ll create the same influx of talent that the league has seen over the past few seasons.

No longer full-time blogging at Ridiculous Upside, but still go check them out since I made them. Kind of.

by Scott Schroeder on Aug 22, 2025 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs