5 Best active NBA players who transitioned from the G-League

The majority of the NBA's best talent enter the league as high picks via the draft, although a number of players have been able to make it to the league following spells in the G-League.

The G-League was founded back in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League, with eight teams taking part in its inaugural season. In almost two decades since the development league has rebranded as the G-League, there are now 27 NBA affiliated teams involved.

The G-League has received its fair share of criticism (some warranted), although the league has provided a platform for young players to impress as they attempt to make a career in the NBA. Plenty of notable active players have spent time in the G-League, and here we will take a look at the top five active players who transitioned from the NBA's development league.

#5 J. J. Barea

J. J. Barea has spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Mavericks

J. J. Barea went undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft, although he quickly joined the Dallas Mavericks and was assigned to the Rocky Mountain Revue. Barea wasn't guaranteed a spot on the Mavericks roster for the 2006-07 season, although after averaging 12.0 points and 6.7 assists over three appearances, the point guard was signed to a multi-year deal with the Mavs.

After struggling to make an impact in his first 12 appearances with the Mavs, Barea was sent down to development in January 2007. However, he would spend less than a month with the Fort Worth Flyers as he was quickly recalled after posting 27.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists, in eight games. Upon his return to the NBA, Barea's minutes and production soon increased, and he played a key role from the bench as the Mavs won the 2011 title.

#4 Robert Covington

Robert Covington is currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Robert Covington was a standout performer during his four seasons at Tennessee State, although the Illinois native went undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft. Convington subsequently signed a deal with the Houston Rockets, although his NBA career was still in doubt when he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. However, Covington impressed during his year with the Vipers, averaging 23.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on his way to being named D-League Rookie of the Year.

Following his impressive spell in the development league, the small forward played just seven times for the Rockets, although Covington established himself as a starter for five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. Covington was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Team in 2018, and the 28-year-old is currently playing a significant role for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

#3 Quinn Cook

Quinn Cook spent more than a year in the G-League

Quinn Cook is currently playing an important reserve role for a contending Los Angeles Lakers team, although the 26-year-old has had to overcome the odds to carve out a successful career in the NBA. Cook was watched by plenty of scouts during his four years at Duke, although he went undrafted back in 2015, and was subsequently waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers after making six preseason appearances.

After failing to land an opportunity in the NBA, Cook was picked up by the Canton Charge and the point guard averaged 19.6 points and 5.4 assists during his rookie year in the D-League. Cook continued to impress in his second year with the Charge and eventually made his NBA debut during the 2016-17 season with the Dallas Mavericks.

While Cook's time with the Mavs was brief, he earned a contract with the Golden State Warriors for the 17-18 season and went on to play a regular role from the bench as the Warriors made back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals. Now entering his third full season in the league, Cook has already established himself as one of the NBA's best three-point shooters, and the former Duke man is getting regular minutes for a contending Laker team.

#2 Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is among the NBA's best rebounders

Hassan Whiteside was selected with the 33rd overall pick Sacramento back in the 2010 NBA draft, although the then 21-year-old was sent to the Reno Bighorns after a brief two-minute outing for the Kings. Whiteside made a slow start to life with the Bighorns, although his impact increased during his 18-month spell, and he finished the 2011-12 season averaging 7.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Whiteside went on to play in Lebanon and China, before finally securing a permanent role in the NBA with the Miami Heat in 2014. The center made 324 appearances for the Heat over five seasons, averaging 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per contest. Whiteside was also named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2017, and he is now a starter for a Portland Trail Blazers team hoping to contend for a title.

#1 Danny Green

Danny Green has won two-titles during his career

Danny Green made 145 appearances during his four years with the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Cleveland Cavaliers saw enough to take him with the 46th overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft. Nevertheless, Green played just 20 times during his rookie year before being waived and was released by the San Antonio Spurs after making just two appearances.

Following his second release in less than a year, Green's NBA career was in the balance, although the then 23-year-old quickly bounced back thanks to an impressive 16-game spell with the Reno Bighorns. In the development league, Green averaged 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game - which was enough to earn a spot back on the Spurs roster.

The New York native soon went on to become a regular starter under Gregg Popovich - and won his first championship during the 2013-14 season. He has since developed into one of the NBA's best two-way players, and after helping Toronto to their first-ever title last season, he is now starring for the high-flying Los Angeles Lakers.