Killian Hayes, Kevin Knox, Moses Brown among top G Leaguers so far

With the calendar flipping to January, roster churn is about to pick up around the league.

Sunday marked the first day teams could begin signing players to standard 10-day contracts, and Jan. 7 looms as the deadline to waive non-guaranteed deals before they lock in for the season. 

In other words, front offices are watching closely, and the G League phone is about to ring.

Keith Smith of Spotrac recently laid out a list of 23 players who have put themselves on NBA radars. The group spans seven ball-handlers, 10 wings and six bigs, compiled through Smith’s film work and conversations with team executives, scouts and agents.

One name already came off the board, as Tristen Newton signed a two-way deal with Houston.

Most of the players Smith highlighted aren’t strangers to the NBA. Kobe Bufkin, Killian Hayes, Dalano Banton, Kevin Knox II, Charles Bassey, Moses Brown and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are among those with previous experience, and several of them logged time with NBA teams earlier this season.

One standout, according to Smith, is Jalen Slawson, whom he labeled the best all-around player in the G League so far. The 6-foot-7 forward has been doing a bit of everything, averaging nearly 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks per game for Indiana’s affiliate.

Smith also pointed to a few players still waiting on their first NBA call, including Darius Brown II, Teddy Allen and Matthew Cleveland, the latter of whom has impressed as an undrafted rookie wing.

Bottom line? With 10-day season officially open, don’t be surprised if several of these names start popping up on NBA transactions pages in the coming days.