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Wizards head coach Scott Brooks announced on Tuesday afternoon that guard Sheldon McClellan will report to the D-League on assignment. He will play about three to four games for the Delaware 87ers while he is there.
Sheldon McClellan will play three or four games in D-League in Delaware
— Hoop District (@HoopDistrictDC) December 6, 2016
Brooks said McClellan needs to go down there just for the opportunity to get some minutes.
— WizardsXTRA (@WizardsXTRA) December 6, 2016
McClellan averages 4.6 points per game. His best performance was on November 12, 2016 when he started and scored 15 points in a road loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Brooks also mentioned that Ian Mahinmi will not play today as he attends to his lingering knee injury. Fortunately, Brooks also mentioned that Mahinmi had an MRI and that the knee was fine, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post.
Ian Mahinmi is out tonight vs #Magic. Said he had an MRI and "everything was fine." This is his 5th straight missed game.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 6, 2016
#Wiz want rooks like McClellan to get quality PT in D-League. Meaning when Mahinmi does come back, expect Daniel Ochefu to spend time there
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 6, 2016
I should amend my tweet... Scott Brooks SAID that Mahinmi had an MRI and that "everything was fine."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 6, 2016
The good news from the announcement is that the Wizards are investing in their rookies by sending them to the D-League where they will get more playing time. And it’s good news to see that Mahinmi’s knees aren’t structurally damaged.
But that said, it’s still surprising to see that the Wizards are one of a few NBA teams who still do not have a D-League affiliate, though one should arrive by 2018 when the new practice facility and Mystics arena open. Furthermore, the Wizards have three undrafted rookies who have potential to contribute, but just aren’t at that level to do so.
Last offseason and this season have been less than “fine” to experience to say the least. I’m not thrilled to see that the Wizards somehow have three undrafted rookies on the roster with John Wall in his prime. Hopefully McClellan, House, and Ochefu can show their worth at some point, but having them with new ineffective veterans has set the team back so far.