2025 G League Callup Candidates to Know

Keith Smith
Keith Smith, Resident NBA ExpertJanuary 02, 2025
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NBA decision-makers recently spent a week in Orlando for the 2024 G League Showcase. The Westchester Knicks took home the Showcase Cup for the second straight season, but the main reason for the event was for NBA front office executives to mingle together. It’s considered the cousin to Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, as a space where NBA trade talks take off in full. This season, teams got a jump on the trade process, as we’ve already seen three December deals, including two before the Showcase even took place.

The other purpose of the event is for G League players to show out for NBA front office personnel. Many rostered players have stood out during the first part of the G League season. This includes players on standard contracts and players signed to two-way deals. But it’s the other guys, the free agents, who need the Showcase to earn an NBA callup.

These callups could occur via a 10-day contract. Teams are allowed to sign players to 10-day deals starting on January 5. The other option is further shuffling of two-way contracts.

As of this writing, 11 teams have an open standard roster spot:

  • Boston Celtics
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Miami Heat
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns

In addition, there are two teams with open two-way spots:

  • Golden State Warriors
  • Orlando Magic

Other roster spots will open up as teams make trades (the trade deadline is February 8) or if teams waive players (the last day to waive players before contracts guarantee is January 7).

The following players have stood out, both in the early part of the G League season and at the Showcase event in Orlando. Others have been mentioned regularly by NBA scouts and front office executives as players who might garner a callup from the G League.

This time, we’re going to split the list up a bit differently. We’re going to present some NBA veterans playing in the G League that that are familiar names. Then we’ll get into the deeper names to know, before finishing with a bit of a bonus list of guys outside of the NBA orbit right now.

(Note: This list is presented in no particular order. It is not a ranking of any kind!)

All stats as of January 1, 2024 and provided by RealGM’s G League Database

 

NBA Veterans in the G League

Guards

Jaylen Nowell – Capital City Go-Go, SG, 6’4’’, 25 years old

Nowell has bounced on and off NBA rosters for the past couple of seasons. He’s certainly too good of a player to stay in the G League, but he hasn’t been able to find an NBA home either. This season, Nowell is averaging 26.4 points on robust 56/51/88 shooting splits. When a team needs some scoring punch, they’d do well to look in Nowell’s direction.

Trey Burke – Mexico City Capitanes, PG, 6’0’’, 32 years old

Yep, that Trey Burke! He’s still going and he’s playing really well for the G League’s only unaffiliated team. Burke is putting up 20.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. He’s also shooting fairly well with 46/39/87 splits. We’ve seen NBA teams go with veterans when they need a point guard in a pinch. That could be Burke’s path back to the NBA.

Wings

Nassir Little – Sioux Falls Skyforce, SG/SF, 6’6’’, 24 years old

Little is an NBA player. There should be no question about that. He’s already had productive NBA years and he’s still only 24 years old. What’s really encouraging is that instead of sulking about not being in the NBA, Little has gone to one of the G League’s furthest-flung outposts and just put in work. He’s been one of the best all-around players in the G League this year. He’ll be back on an NBA roster soon, and probably as more than just a 10 Day callup.

Juan Toscano-Anderson – Mexico City Capitanes, SF/SG, 6’6’’, 31 years old

It’s been a few years since Toscano-Anderson emerged as a rotation find for the Golden State Warriors. All of that shine is off, but he’s still a tough, defensive-minded wing. If Toscano-Anderson shot it more consistently, he’d probably be on an NBA team already. But there’s room for him if a team needs a guy who can hold his own defending 1-4.

Forwards

Eugene Omoruyi – Raptors 905, SF, 6’6’’, 27 years old

Omoruyi has played himself into a callup before. He’s right on the fringe of being on an NBA roster. This season, he’s refocused a bit as more of a finisher and defender. That focus has Omoruyi hitting 59.2% from the floor, while grabbing 7.9 rebounds. He’s the kind of athlete that teams like, because Omoruyi can be pretty plug-and-play in a pinch.

T.J. Warren – Westchester Knicks, SF/PF, 6’8’’, 31 years old

Warren is way overqualified for the G League. He’s scoring with relative ease at the minor league level. The good news is that he looks healthy. That’s what has kept Warren off NBA rosters the last few seasons. When a team needs a forward who can score, they’d do well to give Warren a look.

Bigs

Moses Brown – Westchester Knicks, C, 7’2’’’, 25 years old

Brown already spent part of the season on the Indiana Pacers roster. He’s clearly on the verge of being in the NBA again. In the G League, he’s one of the best rebounders and rim protectors in the league. Brown uses his size to dominate on the interior. That’s come together in flashes in the NBA. Look for an NBA team to bet on Brown being the classic late-bloomer center with another shot in the big league.

 

G Leaguers to know

Guards

Jalen Crutcher – Birmingham Squadron, PG, 6’1’’, 25 years old

Crutcher has seen NBA time before, but he’s mostly been in the G League. That seems on the verge of changing. Crutcher is an improved playmaker, as he’s now regularly breaking down defenses to set up his teammates. He’s also become a high-volume three-point shooter, as he’s hitting 38% on 9.2 three-point attempts per game. Crutcher can be an NBA-caliber backup point guard, when he gets his chance.

Markquis Nowell – Rio Grande Valley Vipers, PG, 5’7’’, 25 years old

Nowell is someone whose name came up a lot in talks with NBA front office personnel. It was usually qualified with “if he was bigger” and/or “if he just shot better”. Nowell is tiny and he’s struggled to finish inside of the arc. But he’s a top-tier playmaker and an on-ball pest of the highest order. Nowell has even blocked 17 shots in 19 games too. He might not get a shot, because of his size and his lack of finishing, but Nowell is getting more attention game by game.

Ethan Thompson – Osceola Magic, SG, 6’5’’, 25 years old

Thompson is one of the best and most efficient scorers in the G League. He’s gotten there by becoming a volume shooter, as he’s knocked down 41.9% of his 8.6 three-point attempts per game. This season, Thompson is playing more defense too. Look for a potential late-season callup when a team needs someone who can put the ball in the hoop.

Jaden Shackelford – Valley Suns, SG, 6’3’’, 23 years old

If Shackelford was a bit bigger, he’d probably already be on an NBA roster. His lack of size works against him defensively. Offensively, Shackelford has it all. He’s got a quick release and can really score. He’s not much of a playmaker, which hurt him being the size of a combo guard. Think old-school bench scoring guard and you’ve got what Shackelford can bring to an NBA team.

Wings

Jarrett Culver – Osceola Magic, SG/SF, 6’6’’, 25 years old

Culver has a little bit of Kris Dunn in him. Dunn went to the G League, reestablished himself and fought his way back to the NBA. Culver could be next. He’s still not much of a shooter, but Culver has played really well on defense and can do a little bit of everything on offense, including running the show. His NBA story hasn’t been fully written yet.

Paul Watson – Valley Suns, SG/SF, 6’6’’, 30 years old

We’re getting close to “now or never” time for Watson, but the time could be now. He’s a shooter with size now, as opposed to trying to do everything on offense. Watson focusing on being a 3&D guy has him playing the best ball of his long G League career. He could have one more run at the NBA in him.

Buddy Boeheim – Oklahoma City Blue, SG/SF, 6’5’’, 25 years old

Boeheim is a one-skill guy, but that one skill is pretty good. Boeheim is hitting 42.4% on a whopping 10.1 three-point attempts per game. Given how much NBA teams value shooting, that has him getting another look from the league. Sometimes being really good at the one thing you can do pays off, and that seems to be the case for Boeheim.

Forwards

Reggie Perry – Greensboro Swarm, PF, 6’8’’, 24 years old

Perry is undersized center in a power forward’s body. He attacks the glass like a big man, and that’s got him on the NBA radar. Perry is also a rugged defender with some switchability. Most exciting? He’s hit 40.5% from deep, albeit on a small sample size. Perry is a guy to keep an eye on for sure.

Maozinha Pereira – Memphis Hustle, PF, 6’8’’, 24 years old

Pereira got a callup with the Grizzlies last season and held his own in the NBA. That sent him back to the G League with a mission: Rounding out his offensive game. Periera is relentless worker on defense and on the boards. However, without a reliable jumper, his lack of size will keep him from making it in the NBA. This year in the G League, Pereira is taking more jumpers than ever. It’s a major work in progress, but the form looks good. Periera will be back in the NBA. Even more: Periera will eventually be an NBA rotation guy too.

Warith Alatishe – Texas Legends, SF/PF, 6’7’’, 24 years old

None of the raw numbers really jump out at you on Alatishe’s stat sheet. But you watch him play and he’s just everywhere. He’s always doing stuff. Alatishe is a constant blur of motion and energy, and he plays REALLY hard too. Guys like that tend to find their way onto an NBA roster eventually.

Cam Martin – Motor City Cruise, PF, 6’9’’, 26 years old

Martin looks like a potential stretch big for an NBA team. He’s rediscovered the shot, which made him a prospect to watch way back in 2021 at Missouri Southern State in Division 2. Martin can also get on the glass and is a solid ball-mover and screener too. There’s something here.

Bigs

Ibou Badji – Wisconsin Herd, C, 7’0’’, 22 years old

At some point a guy goes from “raw prospect” to a guy who just never put it together. Badji is still in the former camp for at least one more year. A year on a two-way deal with Portland didn’t do a whole lot for him, but there’s a raw skillset with Badji that is so enticing. He’s got to get stronger and he needs to learn how to play, but the athleticism at his size will keep getting Badji NBA looks.

Jamarion Sharp – Texas Legends, C, 7’5’’, 23 years old

Sharp is an absolutely massive human being. His collegiate career was weird, but Sharp is putting things together in the G League. As one would hope for a 7-foot-5 center, he’s an outstanding shot-blocker and a good rebounder. What’s exciting is that Sharp is showing off improved touch around the basket. He needs work, but there’s talent here. Could be a good two-way candidate for a team that develops big men.

 

Non-G League Veterans to Watch

Lonnie Walker IV – Zalgiris (Lithuania), SG, 6’4’’, 26 years old

Walker is a known quantity at this point. He can score and shoot. He doesn’t do a lot else, but Walker does those things well enough that teams like him. With Zalgiris, Walker has looked good. He’s drawing lots of NBA interest and wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land with a team before the season ends.

Markelle Fultz – Free Agent, PG, 6’4’’, 26 years old

Fultz has been working through a reported knee issue. That’s kept him from signing a deal to this point. When healthy, he’s expected to draw interest from teams looking for an on-ball playmaker. Fultz might have to play on a 10 Day contract or two to prove himself healthy, but a full NBA deal will come eventually for him.

Dennis Smith Jr. – Free Agent, PG, 6’3’’, 27 years old

Smith put together a solid season for the Brooklyn Nets last year. Teams love his defense, but it’s the lack of reliable jumper that has him still looking for an NBA spot. Smith signed with the G League, but didn’t land where he wanted, so he hasn’t played a game yet. He’ll pop up when a team has a need for some on-ball defense in their backcourt.

Oshae Brissett – Free Agent, PF/SF, 6’7’’, 26 years old

Brissett was a beloved member of the Boston Celtics locker room last season. He’s had overseas offers, but has held off while hoping for another NBA job. Brissett is likely to catch on when a team needs a forward. He’s reportedly stayed in great shape and looks good according to those who have seen him play.

Robert Covington – Free Agent, PF, 6’7’’, 34 years old

Covington played in a couple of games for Team USA in AmeriCup Qualifiers in November. He looked good enough that a handful of NBA teams put him on their lists to keep an eye on. If Covington is willing to go the 10 Day route, don’t be surprised if a team with a need for some frontcourt defense and shooting gives him a look.

 


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