2014-15 Season NBA D-League Team Preview: Delaware 87ers

How did the Delaware 87ers do last season?

Last season was Delaware's inaugural season as D-League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. As expected, the 87ers had a rough season, finishing 12-38 and missing the playoffs. Though, the team did feature a lot of talent throughout the season, but most of it didn't stick. The team featured YouTube sensation Aquille Carr for 10 games before Carr attempted an overseas career. One of the biggest story lines of the 87ers last season was 2014 NBA Draftee Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who was selected in the draft by the New York Knicks. In 50 games, Antetokounmpo averaged 12 points on 47% shooting from the field. His relentless energy and hustle earned him a draft selection. The 87ers also can be attributed for igniting the NBA career of current Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kendall Marshall, who appeared in seven games for the 87ers dropping 19.4 points and 9.6 assists per game.

How good can they be?

The 87ers will have another rough season, but that's expected in only the second-year of the franchise. The 87ers do have players in Malcolm Lee and Ronald Roberts, who were assigned to the 87ers via the affiliate rule from the Philadelphia 76ers. Another person to watch out for is Jamal Jones, the former Texas A&M guard who left college to come to the D-League. Jones is 2015 NBA Draft eligible, meaning he will be with the 87ers all season.

Most likely call-up?

Drew Gordon was already called up by Philly and signed to an NBA contract after the 76ers cut Malcolm Thomas due to a knee injury. However, there is another player who will be called up this season.

That next call-up will most likely be given to Ronald Roberts from St. Joe's. Roberts is an insane freak athlete who was a quadriceps injury away from being on the Philadelphia 76ers roster right now. The 76ers want to see as much of Roberts as possible, which explain why he played nearly 38 minutes in the 87ers opening preseason game against the Westchester Knicks. Roberts compiled 11 points on 5-of-7 from the field.

Most intriguing potential assignee?

Jerami Grant, a second-round pick by Philadelphia in 2014, will see some time in Delaware this season. 76ers head coach Brett Brown already admitted that Grant could be headed to Delaware to help recover from an ankle injury that kept him out of the entire preseason and the regular season up to this point. Grant is a raw athlete who will benefit extremely from some minutes in Delaware.

How many players will be called up from Delaware?

In their first season with a D-League affiliate, the Philadelphia 76ers used it frequent and often. Whether it was sending Lorenzo Brown up and back to get some action in, or sending Arnett Moultrie on a rehab assignment, there was always some transaction going on. The 87ers have some players in Ronald Roberts and Malcolm Lee who could make some noise in Delaware this season to warrant a call-up to a depleted 76ers roster. Drew Gordon already received a call-up from the 87ers this season after Malcolm Thomas needed knee surgery, so this will be interesting to watch.

One thing is certain, however, the 76ers and 87ers will be in constant contact this season.