NBA training camp invites for the 2011-12 season should be more interesting than most considering teams will have just two weeks to install new offenses, get into game shape and whittle themselves down to a 15-man roster before the games actually begin to matter. Those invited from the D-League will have a leg up on the competition in regards to game shape, too, considering the D-League has been running for a few weeks already after training camps opened in the Development League during the second week of November.
During the last NBA lockout, there were 176 players in training camps with 39 players invited from either the CBA or IBA -- the two domestic minor leagues at the time -- with players like Stephen Jackson, Adrian Griffin, Mikki Moore, Jeff McInnis and Troy Hudson all getting their first real shots at the big leagues via training camp invites.
It seems that number could be inflated this time around, too, which obviously opens up good opportunities for the D-League players that chose to play for less money in hopes of the NBA lockout ending sooner rather than later this season.
As a reminder, teams aren't technically allowed to agree to any sort of contracts prior to Friday's official opening of free agency. Via Ridiculous Upside's sources, however, the following players have agreed to attend training camps with the teams mentioned below.
There are roughly 20 other players that will be headed to training camp, too, but the NBA's moratorium on deals caused some to withhold confirming invites until the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was voted on and approved. Things could obviously change in the next 24 hours as free agency changes needs, but as of now, the below players are headed to training camp.
Atlanta Hawks - Zach Graham, Charles Garcia, Donald Sloan, Ivan Johnson, Jerry Stackhouse, Brad Wanamaker
Boston Celtics - Gilbert Brown, Jamal Sampson, Greg Stiemsma, Michael Sweetney
Charlotte Bobcats - Ronald Dupree, Will Blalock, Taylor Griffin, Ismail Muhammad, Durrell Summers, Ben Uzoh
Chicago Bulls - Luther Head, Brian Scalabrine
Cleveland Cavaliers - Kenny Hayes, Willie Reed, Mychel Thompson, Tyrell Biggs, J.P. Prince, Kyle Goldcamp
Dallas Mavericks - Jerome Randle, Drew Neitzel,
Denver Nuggets - Cory Higgins, Julyan Stone, Michael Ruffin, DeMarre Carroll
Detroit Pistons - Walker Russell, Brian Hamilton, Jake Voskuhl, Kareem Rush, Damien Wilkins
Golden State Warriors - Chris Wright, Julian Khazzouh, Tommy Mitchell, Edwin Ubiles, Gary Flowers, Tim Pickett, Tommy Smith
Houston Rockets - Greg Smith, Casey Mitchell, Omar Samhan, Jeremy Lin, Ibrahim Jaaber, Marqus Blakely, Jeff Adrien
Indiana Pacers - Jarrid Famous, Darnell Lazare, Tyren Johnson, Matt Rogers
Los Angeles Clippers - Adam Koch, Courtney Fortson, Renaldo Major, Blake Ahearn, Marcus Hubbard, Willie Warren
Los Angeles Lakers - Elijah Millsap, Malcolm Thomas, Zach Andrews, Chris Daniels
Memphis Grizzlies - Jared Reiner, Josh Davis, Mikki Moore, Walter Sharpe, Brian Skinner
Miami Heat - Cameron Jones, Mickell Gladness, Jeremy Wise, Derrick Byars, Terrel Harris, Billy White
Milwaukee Bucks - Marcus Lewis, Ron Howard
Minnesota Timberwolves - Dominique Johnson, Will Conroy, Shaun Pruitt, Devean George, Bonzi Wells
New Jersey Nets - JamesOn Curry, Dennis Horner, Jerry Smith
New Orleans Hornets - Trey Johnson, Brian Butch, Justin Dentmon, Jerome Dyson, Lance Thomas, Squeaky Johnson, Moses Ehambe, DaJuan Summers, Terrico White
New York Knicks - Chris Hunter, Devin Green
Oklahoma City Thunder - Anthony Goods, Terrence Roberts, Marcus Dove
Orlando Magic - Gabe Pruitt
Philadelphia 76ers - Antonio Anderson, Xavier Silas, Mike Tisdale, Dwayne Jones
Phoenix Suns - Dwight Buycks, Jeremy Hazell, Marcus Landry
Portland Trail Blazers - Seth Tarver, Jeff Foote, Marshall Brown, Ben McCauley, Earl Barron, Chris Johnson
Sacramento Kings - Adrian Oliver, Lawrence Hill
San Antonio Spurs - Doug Thomas, Luke Zeller, Frank Hassell, Devin Gibson, Gani Lawal, Antoine Hood
Utah Jazz - Paul Carter, Trey Gilder, Jamaal Tinsley, Keith McLeod, Scottie Reynolds
Washington Wizards - Mike Wilks, Mardy Collins, Aaron Pettway
This list will be updated as further training camp invites are brought to my attention.
Comments
A question
What happens to the D-League during NBA training camp? Seems like that’s a lot of players missing from D-League teams? Do they just shut down for a week or two?
By Steve Perrin on 12.08.11 12:04pm
That's what I suggested
But this is a bit unprecedented so the league decided to just keep the schedule as is.
They expanded rosters from 10 to 12 and will play on as planned. It’s going to be an ugly, watered down version of basketball for the next few weeks … might be worth driving up to Bakersfield and showing that you can take a charge!
By Scott Schroeder on 12.08.11 12:10pm
Minnesota: Devean George
http://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-timberwolves/2011/12/5/2613935/devean-george-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-free-agency
By Klomp on 12.08.11 12:53pm
Come on PHX, invite somebody.
By Jacob Padilla on 12.08.11 12:58pm
Yeah, I wonder why didn't they give Scottie Reynolds an invite?
Last I heard I think he was invited to camp with the Utah Jazz…I’m surprised Phoenix didn’t call him up instead after his impressive summer league performance last year.
The two guys I see that the Suns have invited are pretty underwhelming guards compared to Reynolds…I suppose Hazell is ok but not impressed with Buycks at all…not sure what they’re doing here.
By Sean Sullivan on 12.09.11 6:23pm
Jaremy Hazell and Dwight Buycks?
Hazell was a really good scoring wing at Seton Hall, but he had some character issues. Buycks has played pretty well in the D-League so far. I could see either one sticking as a Matt Janning-type signing, since we only have 4 total wings.
By Jacob Padilla on 12.09.11 6:45pm
Twolves_PR Timberwolves PR
Free agents working out at @lifetimefitness training center today: Shaun Pruitt, Will Conroy, Dominique Johnson & Devean George. All are expected to be invited to #Twolves training camp
http://twitter.com/#!/Twolves_PR
By Klomp on 12.08.11 2:12pm