DeAndre Liggins, I Hope Denver Nuggets Bring Him To Vegas
By Len Nunes
January 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Corey Brewer (right) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder DeAndre Liggins (25). Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Las Vegas Summer League rosters are soon to be unveiled by all participating teams. I keep refreshing this page link to see who has signed where. As of this article, the link only had Jerrelle Benimon listed for our Denver Nuggets. Denver Post writer Christopher Dempsey has made mention that our recent draft picks and Quincy Miller are likely to be on the roster too. When I check the link though, it’s not to check for recently drafted players but to look for undrafted and recently discarded players. Enter DeAndre Liggins.
DeAndre Liggins was named 2014 NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year.
"Liggins (6-6, 209, Kentucky) appeared in 42 regular season games for the Skyforce, anchoring the defensive efforts of a Sioux Falls team that held their opponents to league-lows of only 45 percent shooting from the field and 100.1 points per 100 possessions. Sioux Falls’ opponents averaged 102.9 points, good for second-lowest in the NBA D-League. As an individual, he averaged an NBA D-League best 2.6 steals, to go with 14.2 points and 4.8 assists."
DeAndre Liggins was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic 53rd overall in the 2011 Draft. He played 17 games with the Magic. Liggins spent his sophomore year with the OKC Thunder. Liggins would play 37 games including one as a starter. Last season, Liggins signed back-to-back 10 day contracts with the Heat in March but only managed one appearance.
Liggins versatility to play the 1,2 or 3 is intriguing to me especially if he can play each position with a high standard of defense. Barring major changes, the Denver Nuggets only have one or two roster spots available for the 2014-15 season. If the Nuggets could fill it with someone who could play top notch perimeter defense during garbage minute time, that would make me happy.
There has been some interest shown in DeAndre Liggins for the upcoming summer league season by the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors.