D-Leaguers D.J. Strawberry and Paul Harris take contracts overseas

The D-League Showcase is in the books, and while Larry Owens was the first NBA call-up following the conclusion of the Showcase, more are sure to follow. Additionally, those who don’t see an NBA opening as imminent may take on more lucrative contract elsewhere, as the D-League currently offers only a meager paycheck.

Case(s) in-point: Maine’s Paul Harris and Reno’s D.J. Strawberry (formerly of the Phoenix Suns), both of whom have skipped out on the D to generate some additional income. From Scott Schroeder of NBA FanHouse:

Already this week, Maine Red Claws wing Paul Harris and Reno Bighorns guard D.J. Strawberry...have bought out their D-League contracts -- a fee of $35,000 to $45,000 depending on the type of contract they signed -- to play for larger salaries in the Philippines and Lithuania, respectively. While an NBA call-up was surely on both players’ minds going into the season, the fact that both were relegated to sixth-man duty thus far in the D-League caused them to seek a steadier income. After all, during a season that’s currently on pace for the least amount of call-ups all time, it’d be quite the feat to make the NBA after not even earning starter’s minutes in the D-League.

That last point is a particularly important one. There isn’t room for every prospect to get a proper chance to showcase their abilities in the D-League, particularly if teams are stacked at certain positions. Just like in the NBA or in any other league, there are minute crunches and system issues that would preclude even the more capable prospects from really demonstrating their abilities. As useful as the D-League is for players and teams alike, it’s not some magical fantasy land where every prospect and assignee can frolick through fields and gobble up minutes by the handful. As is the case with any team, someone has to start, and someone has to sit on the bench.

It’s not likely that NBA teams would target D-League reserves to be called up, which puts players like Harris and Strawberry -- both sixth men, as Schroeder noted -- in a peculiar situation. The D-League may be the best avenue to the NBA, but if a starting spot isn’t within grasp then players may be better served cashing in for any team willing to pay them top dollar...even if in Harris’ case it’s the “Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters.”