Memphis Grizzlies Re-Assign Stokes, Smith to D-League

Jan 5, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) drives to the basket as New York Knicks center Jason Smith (14) looks on in the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they had assigned two of their three rookies to their NBDL affiliate–the Iowa Energy.

The two rookies that were assigned were big man Jarnell Stokes and guard Russ Smith.

The Grizzlies have made a lot of D-League assignments of their rookies this season. They have also given three 10-day contracts to two NBDL players–one to Tyrus Thomas and two to JaMychal Green. Green is still with the Grizzlies and hopes to be soon signed for the remainder of the season.

Memphis has not used the NBDL much in past seasons, but this year since gaining the partnership with the Energy, they are taking full advantage of the affiliation.

This gives the young guys valuable experience since they would not be able to receive NBA playing time right now due to the Memphis Grizzlies having plenty of veteran depth.

It remains to be seen if fellow rookie Jordan Adams will begin receiving NBA minutes or if he will follow his teammates–Jarnell Stokes and Russ Smith–in the coming days to the D-League yet again. The announcement can be found here via the NBA, which reads:

"The Memphis Grizzlies re-assigned forward/center Jarnell Stokes and guard Russ Smith to the Grizzlies’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. This marks the fifth assignment to Iowa for Stokes and the second for Smith, who had three prior stints this season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.Stokes (6-9, 263) has posted 12.5 points on .616 shooting and 9.1 rebounds in 26.4 minutes in 10 games (one start) for the Energy this season, scoring in double digits eight times and notching five double-doubles. The 21-year-old recorded 12.3 points on .633 shooting with 9.9 rebounds and 1.14 blocks in 26.9 minutes in seven games in his previous assignment to Iowa (Jan. 20-Feb. 10).The Memphis native has averaged 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.5 minutes in 17 games (four starts) during his rookie season for the Grizzlies. He was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft after three seasons at the University of Tennessee (2011-14). Stokes then was traded to the Grizzlies on draft night for a 2016 second round draft pick.Smith (6-0, 165) has averaged 16.9 points on .518 shooting with 3.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 27.5 minutes in 16 games (three starts) for the Energy and Mad Ants, scoring in double-digits 13 times, 20-plus points four times and 30-plus points once. The 24-year-old registered 18.2 points on .500 shooting with 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 29.4 minutes in nine games (three starts) in his previous assignment to Iowa (Jan. 20-Feb. 10).The New York City native has averaged 1.4 points and 0.4 assists in 4.7 minutes in seven games (zero starts) in his rookie season with Memphis and the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring five points in four minutes in his Grizzlies debut on Feb. 11 at Oklahoma City. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft after four seasons at Louisville (2010-14), Smith was acquired by New Orleans in a draft night trade and traded to Memphis on Jan. 12."

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