Robert Covington - Why Isn't He Here?

the_l_train · Post #1 » by **the_l_train** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 1:25 am

I need someone to clear up some of this confusion I am having with the D-League...

We draft Covington with the first overall pick in the D-League Draft. I thought Grand Rapids Drive was solely OUR minor league team. Did the Pistons have the opportunity to sign him first?

Via the wiretap, Sixers considering him nearly untouchable now? How did we miss this guy?

sc8581 · Post #2 » by **sc8581** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 1:31 am

Idk but he's nothing anyway

Pistons888 · Post #3 » by **Pistons888** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 1:39 am

The Pistons never had his rights. In fact, no one on the Drive has their rights owned by the Pistons. Datome and Dinwiddie did but they are back with the pro team.

This seems like such a major downfall of the D league. With the one-to-one partnership it makes it nice for the Pistons to hire who they want to coach the team and what system to run, but it isn't really a minor league team like there is in baseball. You can't stash players there unless you want them taking up a roster spot on your actual team. I think this should be fixed.

the_l_train · Post #4 » by **the_l_train** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 2:01 am

Just wondering if Stan Van Gundy drafted him with thoughts of him being a Piston. I'm sure Stan would have made room for him if he was that impressed. Does Van Gundy even draft for the Drive? Is it Bower? Why do I care so much right now?

WillTheThrill12 · Post #5 » by **WillTheThrill12** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 2:26 am

He isn't here because the D-League system is flawed as hell. We should have exclusive rights to OUR players in OUR developmental system, but noooo....smh...

Post #6 » by **dVs33** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 5:55 am

yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

epheisey · Post #7 » by **epheisey** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:31 am

the_l_train wrote:I need someone to clear up some of this confusion I am having with the D-League...

We draft Covington with the first overall pick in the D-League Draft. I thought Grand Rapids Drive was solely OUR minor league team. Did the Pistons have the opportunity to sign him first?

Via the wiretap, Sixers considering him nearly untouchable now? How did we miss this guy?

WillTheThrill12 wrote:He isn't here because the D-League system is flawed as hell. We should have exclusive rights to OUR players in OUR developmental system, but noooo....smh...

The D-League is flawed, but until every team has their own developmental team, it's impossible to have exclusive rights. The way the D-league works now is that the only players that belong to an organization are the ones on the 15 man roster.

Really the only advantage of having the Grand Rapids team is that the Pistons control their staff. So when players do get sent down, they play in a system decided upon by the organization, and one with a goal based on the greater overall success of the organization. On D-league teams without an NBA affiliated team, that D-league team is focused more on winning, and not so much on developing players.

What Detroit should have done is cut Tony Mitchell right from the get go and sign Covington, leaving him in Grand Rapids to get playing time.

chrbal · Post #8 » by **chrbal** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:46 pm

Pretty much all these reasons. I thought we should have cut Mitchell and signed Covington. It was obvious that one guy fit and one didn't. Never thought Covington would do this well at this level though .

Blkbrd671 · Post #9 » by **Blkbrd671** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:13 pm

dVs33 wrote:yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

Also to clarify someones post. Dinwiddie and Datome can't get signed by another club because they are under contract with the Pistons. No other D-league players are.

vic · Post #10 » by **vic** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:07 am

No I think that D league players deserve the opportunity to go to any team in the NBA. If you lock them into one team you also have to pay them serious contract money.

The Pistons definitely should be ashamed of themselves for letting him get a way. But I think they learned their lesson and that's one of the reasons that SVG cut Josh Smith and traded Tony Mitchell.

Covington could be our starting small forward right now.

Post #11 » by **dVs33** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 5:22 am

Blkbrd671 wrote:
dVs33 wrote:yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

Also to clarify someones post. Dinwiddie and Datome can't get signed by another club because they are under contract with the Pistons. No other D-league players are.

The whole "development" part of the D league is lost in it's current form.
I understand guys should get a chance to play for who ever wants them, but the current system isn't very beneficial to NBA teams. Why spend your resources on a guy that could just get signed by another team?? It makes little sense for an NBA team to spend the money. With out full support from NBA teams, the Dleague won't be as successful IMO.
I think a lot of changes need to be made. Firstly Each NBA team needs a Dleague team for themselves. Secondly there needs to be a different level of player contracts. Something that allows a team to hold the rights to a player, but also not effect the 15 man NBA roster. That way the team has a vested interest in the Dleague affiliate, which leads to more money being spent on development and more money to the players. It also would allow teams to keep their players around the team instead of sending them off to Europe.
Maybe add a 3rd round to the NBA draft?? 3rd rounders get a guaranteed full time Dleague contract with the opportunity to be called up to the NBA team?? I don't know... there's probably a million reasons why that wouldn't work, but something needs to change.
Basically the D league needs to be more beneficial to NBA teams because that's where the money is.

epheisey · Post #12 » by **epheisey** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:32 am

Blkbrd671 wrote:
dVs33 wrote:yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

D league players are NOT getting paid decent. From NBA.com

all players sign a one-year NBA D-League Standard Player Contract with the league itself

Interested in hearing what that contract is worth? Let me provide you with a quote from an ESPN article just recently

Salaries remain flat: $25,500, $19,000 and $13,000 for the league's three player classifications, which means D-League players are virtually playing for free -- and a modest per diem on the road of $40 compared to $120 in the NBA -- although they do receive housing and insurance benefits.

That's nothing. Most of these guys could make an entire D-league team's salary cap ($173,000) if they went to Europe. The reason they stay and play here is the potential for a quick call up for a 10-day contract with an NBA team. Hoping that they can wow a team within that 10 day span.

Draft picks on the other hand. Corey Jefferson, 60th pick in this last draft, signed a rookie deal that pays him $500,000 this season. That's guaranteed money. He'll make $800,000 next year if he sticks around, and if he's offered at least the QO come his 3rd year, he'll be bringing in almost $1.2M. Draft picks get paid well enough.

Southern Piston · Post #13 » by **Southern Piston** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:35 am

I think they should allow every team that owns it's owns a d league team. 18 roster spots. Your 12 man team, a starting lineup and 6th man. The NBDL is whats gonna keep the league getting better. The franchises will actually get to build a system and develop players who can fit there system. I've watched portions of Drive games just to see Datome and Dimwiddie play. Covington is a perfect example how the current system fails. I give SVG credit for trying to utilize the d league. I think for city like Detroit, where the glamour isn't there to lure FA, a development of 2nd tier players built around the stars they can get would be very beneficial. I hope one day they can get it together a bring a good product for the fans and the franchises and make it work.

Blkbrd671 · Post #14 » by **Blkbrd671** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:37 am

epheisey wrote:
Blkbrd671 wrote:
dVs33 wrote:yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

D league players are NOT getting paid decent. From NBA.com
all players sign a one-year NBA D-League Standard Player Contract with the league itself
Interested in hearing what that contract is worth? Let me provide you with a quote from an ESPN article just recently
Salaries remain flat: $25,500, $19,000 and $13,000 for the league's three player classifications, which means D-League players are virtually playing for free -- and a modest per diem on the road of $40 compared to $120 in the NBA -- although they do receive housing and insurance benefits.

That's nothing. Most of these guys could make an entire D-league team's salary cap ($173,000) if they went to Europe. The reason they stay and play here is the potential for a quick call up for a 10-day contract with an NBA team. Hoping that they can wow a team within that 10 day span.

Draft picks on the other hand. Corey Jefferson, 60th pick in this last draft, signed a rookie deal that pays him $500,000 this season. That's guaranteed money. He'll make $800,000 next year if he sticks around, and if he's offered at least the QO come his 3rd year, he'll be bringing in almost $1.2M. Draft picks get paid well enough.

Your making my case, if we control the rights of some of these players, we by contract will be keeping them in a low income job but preventing them from taking the next step with another team. Solution would be to pay them more, the mof'n NBA got money, and maybe a trade as oppose to a outright signing

Blkbrd671 · Post #15 » by **Blkbrd671** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:41 am

dVs33 wrote:
Blkbrd671 wrote:
dVs33 wrote:yeah the flaws in the d-league have been brought up before. Until each team has their own d-league team and with players they have rights to, the d-league will always be a joke IMO.
It needs to be changed for it to be successful.

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

Also to clarify someones post. Dinwiddie and Datome can't get signed by another club because they are under contract with the Pistons. No other D-league players are.

The whole "development" part of the D league is lost in it's current form.
I understand guys should get a chance to play for who ever wants them, but the current system isn't very beneficial to NBA teams. Why spend your resources on a guy that could just get signed by another team?? It makes little sense for an NBA team to spend the money. With out full support from NBA teams, the Dleague won't be as successful IMO.
I think a lot of changes need to be made. Firstly Each NBA team needs a Dleague team for themselves. Secondly there needs to be a different level of player contracts. Something that allows a team to hold the rights to a player, but also not effect the 15 man NBA roster. That way the team has a vested interest in the Dleague affiliate, which leads to more money being spent on development and more money to the players. It also would allow teams to keep their players around the team instead of sending them off to Europe.
Maybe add a 3rd round to the NBA draft?? 3rd rounders get a guaranteed full time Dleague contract with the opportunity to be called up to the NBA team?? I don't know... there's probably a million reasons why that wouldn't work, but something needs to change.
Basically the D league needs to be more beneficial to NBA teams because that's where the money is.

Awesome Post Dv

That would make some sense. i like the idea of a 3rd round, Just imagine the talent pool of players if there was a actual NBA certified developmental league that actually developed. Guys like Terrico White, Whiteside,and everyone else Kiristen blew probably be decent ballers by now. Hopefully silver realizes this. Maybe this whole Robert covington become a franchise SF will open some eyes

Post #16 » by **dVs33** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:14 am

Blkbrd671 wrote:
dVs33 wrote:
Blkbrd671 wrote:

how is that flawed though? look at the NBA D-League as a business. These players are getting paid decent but also have to cover their traveling expenses. Is it fair to say, no you have to stay in this life or level despite the fact that there are other NBA teams that would put you on their squad!?

I think one way to solve the problem is our draft picks get paid better, and the team is required to call him up 2-3 times in a season, or something to that effect. We could only designate 2 players.......

Also to clarify someones post. Dinwiddie and Datome can't get signed by another club because they are under contract with the Pistons. No other D-league players are.

The whole "development" part of the D league is lost in it's current form.
I understand guys should get a chance to play for who ever wants them, but the current system isn't very beneficial to NBA teams. Why spend your resources on a guy that could just get signed by another team?? It makes little sense for an NBA team to spend the money. With out full support from NBA teams, the Dleague won't be as successful IMO.
I think a lot of changes need to be made. Firstly Each NBA team needs a Dleague team for themselves. Secondly there needs to be a different level of player contracts. Something that allows a team to hold the rights to a player, but also not effect the 15 man NBA roster. That way the team has a vested interest in the Dleague affiliate, which leads to more money being spent on development and more money to the players. It also would allow teams to keep their players around the team instead of sending them off to Europe.
Maybe add a 3rd round to the NBA draft?? 3rd rounders get a guaranteed full time Dleague contract with the opportunity to be called up to the NBA team?? I don't know... there's probably a million reasons why that wouldn't work, but something needs to change.
Basically the D league needs to be more beneficial to NBA teams because that's where the money is.

Awesome Post Dv

That would make some sense. i like the idea of a 3rd round, Just imagine the talent pool of players if there was a actual NBA certified developmental league that actually developed. Guys like Terrico White, Whiteside,and everyone else Kiristen blew probably be decent ballers by now. Hopefully silver realizes this. Maybe this whole Robert covington become a franchise SF will open some eyes

We can only hope.
It's up to the NBA for sure though. They need to convince each franchise to have their own affiliate and start making changes from there.
I think it would benefit the teams, players and fans to have a legitimate minor league for the NBA.

DocRI · Post #17 » by **DocRI** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:32 am

epheisey wrote:D league players are NOT getting paid decent. From NBA.com
all players sign a one-year NBA D-League Standard Player Contract with the league itself
Interested in hearing what that contract is worth? Let me provide you with a quote from an ESPN article just recently
Salaries remain flat: $25,500, $19,000 and $13,000 for the league's three player classifications, which means D-League players are virtually playing for free -- and a modest per diem on the road of $40 compared to $120 in the NBA -- although they do receive housing and insurance benefits.

Those numbers are offensive, but sadly, they're not too surprising. Have you guys seen how little AAA ballplayers make? The leagues designate them as "seasonal employees" (like a shopping mall Santa Claus) so that it's legal to pay them next to nothing, even though they're all given year-round work out regimens. Moreover, the 2014 Poverty Threshold for a 1-person household was $11,670, which means a single player with no kids at the D-League minimum made a whopping $1,330 above it. That's despicable.

Unfortunately, solving the economic inequalities of minor league sports pay structures is beyond me (at least at 2AM). So, back to the sports end of things —

If every NBA team had their own D-League affiliate (as most in this thread have agreed is a good idea), what if the proprietary NBA team simply had the right to match any offer and call up the player themselves if another team tried to poach them? For instance, say Covington is on the Drive without a Pistons contract and the Sixers offer him a roster spot; the Pistons would then have to choose to match PHI's offer and call Covington up themselves or else let him go. That way, the players are never stuck in the D-League if they have an NBA opportunity, but NBA teams have some protection against losing a young asset they've spent time and money to develop within their system; they'll just be forced to make a tough decision whether to match and call up or else let the kid go.

Billl · Post #18 » by **Billl** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 6:16 pm

The NBA has a great D-League already. It's called the NCAA.

Having teams develop guys "for their system" doesn't make much sense in the NBA. The coaching turnover is so high that the system changes every couple years. All they really need is a place for borderline draft picks to keep in shape while they wait for a callup. They should just call it the "Stay in shape" league instead of the develomental league.