The Golden State Warriors have assigned rookie guard Kent Bazemore to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marked the first of Bazemore’s career.

With the assignment, Bazemore became the first player ever to be assigned from Golden State to Santa Cruz.

Bazemore (6-5, 201, Old Dominion) has appeared in six games for Golden State this season, recording two rebounds, two steals, two blocks and one assist in 10 minutes. Undrafted following a four-year career at Old Dominion, Bazemore is a two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2012). 

The Houston Rockets have assigned rookies Terrence Jones and Scott Machado to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate.

The assignment is the first for Jones and the second for Machado.

Jones has appeared in seven games for the Rockets this season, averaging 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 10.4 minutes.  

Machado returns to the Vipers having been assigned from Nov. 14-26, when he appeared in two games and averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds. In one game for the Rockets this season, Machado scored two points in three minutes.  

The Boston Celtics recalled forward Kris Joseph from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.

Joseph, a 6’7 forward, averaged 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block in two games while on assignment.

The Portland Trail Blazers will soon use the Idaho Stampede to allow several young players to receive playing time in the D-League.

Victor Claver, Joel Freeland, Will Barton and Nolan Smith care candidates to spend time in Idaho.

“We’re going to utilize the D-League when it’s appropriate, we want to use it when we’re not taking assets away from our team,” Neil Olshey said. “We’re looking to get the most bang for our buck.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Kevin Jones from the D-League.

Following the Call-Up, Jones was assigned from Cleveland to Canton.

Jones (6-8, 251, West Virginia) returns to Cleveland having spent the 2012 NBA preseason and training camp with the team. In two preseason games for the Cavaliers, Jones averaged 2.5 rebounds and 9.0 minutes.

As a member of the Charge, Jones has appeared in three games, averaging 27.0 points, good for third-best in the NBA D-league to go with 13.7 rebounds and 41.3 minutes.

The Cavaliers have waived Luke Harangody.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have assigned Jeremy Lamb to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

Lamb, who was originally acquired from the Houston Rockets along with Kevin Martin on Oct. 27, has appeared in eight games this season averaging 2.1 points in 4.3 minutes.

The Phoenix Suns have assigned rookie guard Kendall Marshall to the Bakersfield Jam, the Suns’ NBA Development League affiliate.

The assignment is the first for Marshall and the 21st of the 2012-13 NBA and NBA D-league seasons.

Marshall (6-4, 195, North Carolina) has appeared in six games for the Suns this season, averaging 1.2 points and 5.7 minutes. Selected by the Suns in the first round (13th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Marshall was a two-year contributor for the Tar Heels. In 73 career NCAA games, Marshall averaged 7.2 points and 8.0 assists.  

The Santa Cruz Warriors begin their D-League season on Friday.

With the affiliate so close to Oakland, the Warriors could shuttle Jeremy Tyler and Kent Bazemore back and forth to receive game experience.

"It's so close," said Bob Myers. "The thing you don't want is them sitting around here practicing but not getting any valuable game experience. It's certainly something we want to use."

Sean Marks is general manager of the D-League's Austin Toros, which he considers an initial step in his career as a front office executive.

“Being GM of my own team is a dream, for sure,” Marks said. “I know I have a long way to go, but I have a great stepping stone now with the opportunity I have had to learn from Pop, Danny (Ferry), Dennis (former assistant GM Dennis Lindsey).

“The way R.C. handles it is amazing: He says, ‘Here, have fun with it; it’s your team, run it. He doesn’t micromanage, and until he gets sick of me asking question after question, I’ll keep picking his brain.”

The Spurs have been the launching pad for current NBA general managers such as Ferry, Dell Demps, Sam Presti, Rob Hennigan and Kevin Pritchard.

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie forward/center Robert Sacre to the D-Fenders.

Sacre, a 7-0 forward/center out of Gonzaga, was selected by the Lakers in the second round (60th overall pick) in the 2012 NBA draft. Sacre finished his career with the Bulldogs ranked second all-time in school history in career blocks (186) while averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 135 games.

Sacre, assigned to the D-Fenders for the second time after participating in practice with the team yesterday, has appeared in eight games for the Lakers this season, totaling two points, two rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 19 minutes.