The Ten Most Notable Replacement Signings This Week (December 17-22)
With more and more players entering Health and Safety Protocols, NBA teams have had to sign a flurry of replacement players to ten-day hardship exceptions in order to meet the minimum requirement of rostered players needed to play games. This has led to various G-League call ups and returns for some fan-favorites.
Here are the ten most notable replacement players who got signed this past week (from least recent to most).
Isaiah Thomas - Los Angeles Lakers (Signed December 17)
Image via Boston.com
2021 G-League Stats: 42 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists (in debut)
NBA Career Stats: 11.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.7 APG
I.T. has returned to the NBA after a two-year absence. In a career with numerous highs and lows, the 11-year veteran is back for more in his second stint with the purple and gold. He has longed to make a comeback after a slew of injuries and surgeries, and after dropping 42 points in his G-League debut, he was rewarded with a call-up. One of the league’s greatest stories will not have an ending just yet, as Thomas looks to build on his early success and receive a full-time contract in the NBA.
Justin Jackson - Boston Celtics (December 18)
2021 G-League Stats: 22.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.9 APG
NBA Career Stats: 6.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
Jackson, a five-year NBA journeyman, is now playing for his fifth NBA franchise. Originally drafted 15th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017, Jackson has struggled to find a consistent role in the league. The 6’8” wing played 81 games for the Sacramento Kings his rookie year before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who later waived him this past April. Stints with Milwaukee and Dallas did not work out either. Now, the 26-year-old will look to make his mark on a Celtics team in need of forward depth.
James Ennis III - Brooklyn Nets (December 18)
2015 G-League Stats (Most Recent): 18.8 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.6 APG
NBA Career Stats: 6.7 PPG, 3 RPG, 1 APG
Ennis, known for being a solid wing defender, will now be lending his services to the ultra-shorthanded Brooklyn Nets, who currently have ten players in Health & Safety Protocols. The 6’6” guard/wing has averaged 0.6 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game for his career while shooting a respectable 36% from three. He is now playing for his eighth team in as many years, looking to be a star in his role as a three-and-D specialist for head coach Steve Nash.
Theo Pinson - Dallas Mavericks (December 20)
2021 G-League Stats: 16.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG
NBA Career Stats: 3 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.2 APG
Pinson was brought onto Jason Kidd’s Mavericks to alleviate the team’s recent struggles with guard depth. The 26-year-old UNC alum played 22 minutes in his return and logged seven points, four boards, and three assists on 29% shooting from the field. Pinson does just enough to help his team, a skill that is coveted by a multitude of franchises at the moment. There is a good reason why he is nicknamed “Spark Plug”, and he will look to live up to that nickname over the remaining days of his contract.
Jemerrio Jones - Los Angeles Lakers (December 21)
2021 G-League Stats: 6.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.5 APG
NBA Career Stats: 4.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
He might only be 6’5”, but don’t let his height fool you. Forward Jemerrio Jones comes back to the Lakers for his second stint as a tenacious rebounder and overall Energizer Bunny. He has been a regular in the G-League for the past three years, but he is focused on securing another shot with a team that has had laughable lowlights in the rebounding department. Though not a talented shooter, his energy and hustle are simply unmatched, and he will be providing much-needed youth on a gradually aging roster still on the hunt for banner #18.
Wenyen Gabriel - Brooklyn Nets (December 21)
2021 G-League Stats: 13.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
NBA Career Stats: 2.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.4 APG
The 6’9” swingman has been shooting lights out in the G-League (38% from deep this season) and looks to bring his two-way talent to the Brooklyn Nets. He currently has 51 NBA games under his belt and will be gaining even more experience with the Nets, who have plenty of opportunities available with a plethora of players out.
Marquese Chriss - Dallas Mavericks (December 21)
2021 G-League Stats: N/A
NBA Career Stats: 7.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.1 APG
Chriss, a familiar name to NBA fans, has also struggled with injuries throughout his five-year career. He is an athletic big man capable of shooting the three ball, but has yet to find a permanent home in the league. He brings his skill sets to the depleted Mavericks, and the high-flier is looking to catch lobs from Jalen Brunson and Frank Ntilikina*.
*Luka Doncic is among several Mavs players in COVID protocols.
Joe Johnson (yes, you read that correctly) - Boston Celtics (December 22)
G-League Stats: N/A
NBA Career Stats: 16 PPG, 4 RPG, 3.9 APG
“Iso Joe” Johnson returns to the team that drafted him nearly two decades ago. After his 18-year career, he was giving opponents buckets overseas and in several televised tournaments—even winning two BIG3 championships and being named the BIG3 MVP in 2019. He scored the first points of his return last night in garbage time against the Cavaliers. Johnson is proving to us all that age is just a number, and he will be seeking more buckets as his contract continues.
Ersan Ilyasova - Chicago Bulls (December 22)
2005 G-League Stats: 12.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 1 APG
NBA Career Stats: 10.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
Ilyasova, who once led the league in charges drawn in 2018-19, is back for more, this time with the red-hot Bulls. The 6’10” do-it-all forward joins the 19-10 squad after playing for the Utah Jazz last season, where he shot nearly 44% from deep (on 1.5 attempts per game). He has shot 44% from the field and nearly 37% from deep in his 13-year journey. Now, he-–like other seasoned veterans on this list—eyes a return to the NBA with a team looking to make noise in the East.
Lance Stephenson - Atlanta Hawks (December 22)
2021 G-League Stats: 19.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.1 APG
NBA Career Stats: 8.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.9 APG
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not include one of the biggest fan-favorites re-entering the NBA: Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson. The 6’6” swingman was more than ready when his number was called last night for Atlanta, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing five assists–all while scoring a single point. Stephenson is another solid role player who does what is asked of him, whether it’s shooting threes, dropping dimes, or getting defensive stops. It will be fun to see what else he brings to the table soon and if his “Air Guitar” celebration makes a return as well.
Conclusion
Overall, these ten were some standout names that are looking to turn the heads of fans and executives as they vie for a fully-guaranteed contract with their respective teams. The full list of NBA transactions can be found here.