G League plans 1-and-done alternative

The G League plans to offer an option to players who are not yet eligible for the NBA draft a chance to turn pro out of high school and avoid the college one-and-done route.

Players will be eligible to sign a “select contract” if they turn 18 by Sept. 15 prior to the season that they would spend in the G League. The $125,000 contracts will be made available to elite prospects. The league is establishing a group to identify players who could be offered the contract.

Players aren’t eligible to enter the NBA draft until one year after high school. The G League contracts will start being available for the 2019-20 season.

Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists and Joel Embiid had 30 points and 12 rebounds to lead the 76ers past the Bulls 127-108 in Philadelphia. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points in their season opener. Barkley: No max for Butler; Smith: Must keep Whiteside agreement. Chuck stated And I wouldn’t probably than him at that position?” this the other night -- he put a [Hassan] Whiteside wants the max; they’re not in that trade, either. I Barkley: “Well, I’d have going to give him the max. would want a guy who can to sit down and look at the They’re thinking about run the rim and defend and list. But that’s not the their younger guys, so they play 25 to 30 minutes, running point, though. The key is, took care of the two young the rim, that’s solid at you know my philosophy, guys [Karl-Anthony doing that.” I’m not giving guys the Towns and Andrew Wiggins]. O’Neal: “Who max if we ain’t gonna be He’s probably bitter Minnesota want?” contenders. I just don’t believe about that. So he wants to Barkley: “You wouldn’t in that. I’m not paying go to a contender, probably give up Whiteside for Butler?” guys $35 million a year win, and then probably when we’re the sixth seed, come back next year and Smith: “I wouldn’t want seventh seed. I just don’t renegotiate and see if he to. He said who wouldn’t I believe in that. No disrespect, can get more money. Is he want to do it? Those three I like all these players, worth the max? He’s worth guys together, they can be a they’re all good players. a lot. I don’t know if he’s Denver-type team in the But I’m not giving a worth the max. But I think Eastern Conference.” guy $30 million a year for that Butler is done there.” Barkley: “The Denver us to lose in the first

Smith: “Yeah, I agree. I Nuggets might be the second-best round.” think he’s going to be team in the Smith: “You won’t give traded. I think, if I was the West.” Jimmy Butler $30 million?” Miami Heat . . .” Johnson: “But let’s go

Johnson: “Who would back to the Miami Heat.” Barkley: “No.” you not give up, because Barkley: “Miami? Listen, Smith: “OK.”

Josh Richardson appears I don’t know all the to be one of the guys . . .?” parameters. Jimmy Butler’s

Smith: “[Goran] Dragic a good player. He’s a wouldn’t be part of that good player.” trade. I think he’s good Smith: “How many enough at the point guard. guards in the NBA are better

MIAMI — TNT’s “Inside the NBA” studio crew, during a Thursday media conference call, addressed the Jimmy Butler rumors, including how the speculation has related to the Miami Heat.

The spirited conversion flowed on the subject between host Ernie Johnson Jr. and analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.

When asked if they believed the Minnesota Timberwolves would trade the disgruntled guard and asked if there was a limit on what the Heat should be offering, they took it from there.

O’Neal: “I think he definitely would be traded. I think, you know, conversation between him and the general manager and the staff is at a point where they can’t come to an would

AP