Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Los Angeles D-Fenders’ 2015-16 season brought a return to prominence, as the club finished 26-24 and advanced to the playoffs behind one of the most talented rosters in the league. The team was anchored by veteran guard Vander Blue, whose scoring exploits earned him the NBA D-League Most Valuable Player award after he averaged more than 25 points per game. Around him, the D-Fenders regularly featured a revolving cast of Lakers-affiliated talent, including assignments from rookie forwards Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown. The season also provided an important stage for players such as Jabari Brown, Justin Harper, and Robert Upshaw, all of whom delivered notable performances at various points. Although Los Angeles fell short of a championship run, the year is best remembered for Blue’s MVP campaign and for a roster that consistently ranked among the league’s most entertaining offensive groups.
Roster
| NO. | PLAYER NAME | POS | HT | WT | DATE OF BIRTH | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Vander Blue | SG | 6 ft 4 in | 200 lb | July 17, 1992 | Marquette |
| 3 | Anthony Brown | SF | 6 ft 7 in | 211 lb | October 10, 1992 | Stanford |
| 4 | Ryan Kelly | PF | 6 ft 11 in | 230 lb | April 9, 1991 | Duke |
| 5 | Michael Frazier | SG | 6 ft 4 in | 200 lb | March 8, 1994 | Florida |
| 7 | Andre Ingram | PG | 6 ft 3 in | 195 lb | November 19, 1985 | American |
| 8 | Manny Harris | SG | 6 ft 5 in | 185 lb | September 21, 1989 | Michigan |
| 8 | Kenneth Smith | PG | 6 ft 3 in | 180 lb | January 28, 1993 | Louisiana Tech |
| 9 | Josh Magette | PG | 6 ft 1 in | 160 lb | November 28, 1989 | Alabama-Huntsville |
| 10 | Justin Hawkins | SF | 6 ft 7 in | 210 lb | May 18, 1985 | New Mexico State |
| 11 | Jamal Branch | PG | 6 ft 3 in | 170 lb | September 30, 1992 | St. John’s |
| 12 | Jamaal Franklin | SG | 6 ft 5 in | 191 lb | July 21, 1991 | San Diego State |
| 18 | D.J. Shumpert | SF | 6 ft 7 in | 220 lb | June 8, 1990 | Cal State San Bernardino |
| 21 | Zach Andrews | C | 6 ft 9 in | 230 lb | March 9, 1985 | Bradley |
| 22 | Malcolm Thomas | PF | 6 ft 9 in | 225 lb | November 8, 1988 | San Diego State |
| 22 | Jeff Ayres | PF/C | 6 ft 10 in | 240 lb | April 29, 1987 | Arizona State |
| 23 | Justin Harper | PF | 6 ft 9 in | 225 lb | August 30, 1989 | Richmond |
| 24 | Robert Upshaw | C | 7 ft 0 in | 250 lb | January 5, 1994 | Washington |
| 28 | Tarik Black | C | 6 ft 11 in | 250 lb | November 22, 1991 | Kansas |
| 32 | Lazar Hayward | SF | 6 ft 6 in | 225 lb | November 26, 1986 | Marquette |
| 33 | Kentrell Gransberry | C | 6 ft 9 in | 290 lb | August 1, 1985 | South Florida |
| 33 | Ryan Gomes | SF/PF | 6 ft 7 in | 250 lb | September 1, 1982 | Providence |
| 55 | Michael Holyfield | C | 6 ft 11 in | 270 lb | November 18, 1992 | Sam Houston State |
| 12 | Jabari Brown | SG | 6 ft 6 in | 214 lb | December 18, 1992 | Missouri |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vander Blue | G | 23 | 48 | 48 | 38.3 | 26.3 | 5.0 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 19.5 | 8.6 | .440 | 5.6 | 1.9 | .330 | 9.0 | 7.3 | .810 |
| Justin Harper | F-C | 26 | 42 | 26 | 28.9 | 15.3 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 12.0 | 5.6 | .472 | 5.4 | 2.1 | .391 | 2.2 | 2.0 | .891 |
| Ryan Gomes | SF-PF | 33 | 31 | 28 | 32.0 | 18.2 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 13.7 | 6.6 | .482 | 4.2 | 1.5 | .372 | 4.0 | 3.5 | .856 |
| Josh Magette | G | 26 | 45 | 45 | 38.0 | 11.5 | 4.5 | 9.1 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 10.3 | 4.0 | .390 | 5.7 | 1.9 | .327 | 1.9 | 1.6 | .805 |
| Andre Ingram | G | 30 | 50 | 17 | 26.4 | 10.4 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 6.8 | 3.3 | .490 | 4.6 | 2.3 | .496 | 1.7 | 1.5 | .860 |
| Justin Hawkins | F | 30 | 41 | 35 | 27.3 | 10.6 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 9.5 | 4.0 | .418 | 4.1 | 1.2 | .305 | 1.8 | 1.4 | .795 |
| Robert Upshaw | C | 22 | 28 | 2 | 15.6 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 6.2 | 3.0 | .477 | 0.4 | 0.1 | .200 | 2.1 | 1.3 | .610 |
| Ryan Kelly | PF | 24 | 7 | 7 | 35.7 | 27.0 | 7.3 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 17.3 | 9.1 | .529 | 4.6 | 1.7 | .375 | 9.0 | 7.0 | .778 |
| Manny Harris | G | 26 | 8 | 8 | 40.0 | 23.4 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 19.1 | 7.9 | .412 | 4.3 | 1.4 | .324 | 7.4 | 6.3 | .847 |
| Malcolm Thomas | F | 27 | 7 | 7 | 34.6 | 17.7 | 12.0 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 13.3 | 7.1 | .538 | 2.3 | 0.9 | .375 | 4.1 | 2.6 | .621 |
| Jabari Brown | G | 23 | 8 | 4 | 27.4 | 16.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 14.8 | 5.4 | .364 | 5.4 | 1.5 | .279 | 5.1 | 4.5 | .878 |
| Tarik Black | F | 23 | 8 | 8 | 32.1 | 16.4 | 11.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 11.8 | 6.8 | .574 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.8 | 2.9 | .605 |
| Anthony Brown | G | 23 | 7 | 2 | 33.6 | 14.6 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 13.9 | 5.4 | .392 | 6.7 | 2.1 | .319 | 2.3 | 1.6 | .688 |
| Jamaal Franklin | SG | 24 | 4 | 2 | 25.8 | 11.3 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 8.5 | 4.0 | .471 | 2.8 | 1.0 | .364 | 4.0 | 2.3 | .563 |
| Michael Frazier | G | 22 | 14 | 0 | 16.6 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 5.7 | 2.1 | .363 | 2.1 | 0.5 | .233 | 1.6 | 1.3 | .783 |
| Zach Andrews | F/C | 30 | 19 | 4 | 13.2 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 2.1 | .582 | 0.2 | 0.1 | .250 | 1.3 | 0.8 | .640 |
| Michael Holyfield | C | 23 | 18 | 3 | 13.8 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 1.8 | .615 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | .514 | |
| Kenneth Smith | G | 23 | 31 | 1 | 13.6 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | .316 | 1.2 | 0.3 | .263 | 0.8 | 0.6 | .760 |
| D.J. Shumpert | F | 25 | 22 | 1 | 15.0 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | .521 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.3 | 0.5 | .393 |
| Lazar Hayward | F | 29 | 12 | 0 | 13.7 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 4.6 | 1.8 | .382 | 0.8 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.8 | 1.5 | .857 |
| Jeff Ayres | F | 28 | 2 | 1 | 32.5 | 16.5 | 13.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | .500 | 1.5 | 0.5 | .333 | 7.0 | 6.0 | .857 |
| Jamal Branch | G | 23 | 10 | 1 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | .300 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .333 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.000 |
| Kentrell Gransberry | F/C | 30 | 1 | 0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .500 |
Playoff Per Game
| Player Name | Pos. | Age | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vander Blue | — | — | 9 | 9 | 43.4 | 26.4 | 6.9 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 20.8 | 8.9 | .428 | 5.1 | 1.4 | .283 | 8.3 | 7.2 | .867 |
| Ryan Gomes | — | — | 9 | 9 | 34.7 | 20.1 | 8.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 15.6 | 7.2 | .464 | 4.7 | 1.3 | .286 | 4.7 | 4.3 | .929 |
| Justin Harper | — | — | 9 | 9 | 38.1 | 19.1 | 8.1 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 15.8 | 7.2 | .458 | 6.0 | 2.0 | .333 | 3.6 | 2.7 | .750 |
| Josh Magette | — | — | 9 | 9 | 42.9 | 15.1 | 3.9 | 7.1 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 13.1 | 5.7 | .432 | 6.0 | 2.3 | .389 | 2.1 | 1.4 | .684 |
| Andre Ingram | — | — | 9 | 9 | 37.9 | 9.7 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 8.2 | 3.6 | .432 | 4.4 | 1.6 | .350 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .692 |
| Kenneth Smith | — | — | 8 | 0 | 13.6 | 4.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | .429 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .444 | 1.3 | 0.9 | .700 |
| Lazar Hayward | — | — | 4 | 0 | 16.3 | 7.3 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 5.0 | 2.8 | .550 | 1.0 | 0.3 | .250 | 1.8 | 1.5 | .857 |
| Michael Holyfield | — | — | 6 | 0 | 12.2 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.8 | .417 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 1.2 | .636 | |
| D.J. Shumpert | — | — | 9 | 0 | 8.4 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.8 | .368 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Justin Hawkins | — | — | 6 | 0 | 10.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 0.5 | .200 | 1.7 | 0.3 | .200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jamal Branch | — | — | 1 | 0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | .750 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 |
Regular Season Totals
| Player | Pos. | Age | GP | GS | Min | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vander Blue | 48 | 48 | 1836 | 1262 | 240 | 163 | 85 | 2 | 110 | 937 | 412 | .440 | 270 | 89 | .330 | 431 | 349 | .810 | ||
| Justin Harper | 42 | 26 | 1214 | 644 | 241 | 67 | 30 | 28 | 44 | 502 | 237 | .472 | 225 | 88 | .391 | 92 | 82 | .891 | ||
| Ryan Gomes | 31 | 28 | 993 | 565 | 251 | 97 | 27 | 12 | 36 | 425 | 205 | .482 | 129 | 48 | .372 | 125 | 107 | .856 | ||
| Andre Ingram | 50 | 17 | 1319 | 519 | 140 | 72 | 53 | 9 | 28 | 339 | 166 | .490 | 228 | 113 | .496 | 86 | 74 | .860 | ||
| Josh Magette | 45 | 45 | 1710 | 516 | 204 | 410 | 110 | 6 | 130 | 464 | 181 | .390 | 257 | 84 | .327 | 87 | 70 | .805 | ||
| Justin Hawkins | 41 | 35 | 1121 | 433 | 186 | 66 | 30 | 15 | 48 | 388 | 162 | .418 | 167 | 51 | .305 | 73 | 58 | .795 | ||
| Robert Upshaw | 28 | 2 | 438 | 204 | 126 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 34 | 174 | 83 | .477 | 10 | 2 | .200 | 59 | 36 | .610 | ||
| Ryan Kelly | 7 | 7 | 250 | 189 | 51 | 21 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 121 | 64 | .529 | 32 | 12 | .375 | 63 | 49 | .778 | ||
| Manny Harris | 8 | 8 | 320 | 187 | 54 | 33 | 15 | 3 | 27 | 153 | 63 | .412 | 34 | 11 | .324 | 59 | 50 | .847 | ||
| Jabari Brown | 8 | 4 | 219 | 134 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 118 | 43 | .364 | 43 | 12 | .279 | 41 | 36 | .878 | ||
| Tarik Black | 8 | 8 | 257 | 131 | 94 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 21 | 94 | 54 | .574 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 38 | 23 | .605 | ||
| Malcolm Thomas | 7 | 7 | 242 | 124 | 84 | 18 | 6 | 17 | 10 | 93 | 50 | .538 | 16 | 6 | .375 | 29 | 18 | .621 | ||
| Anthony Brown | 7 | 2 | 235 | 102 | 28 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 97 | 38 | .392 | 47 | 15 | .319 | 16 | 11 | .688 | ||
| Zach Andrews | 19 | 4 | 250 | 95 | 61 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 67 | 39 | .582 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 25 | 16 | .640 | ||
| Kenneth Smith | 31 | 1 | 422 | 89 | 51 | 77 | 17 | 2 | 37 | 95 | 30 | .316 | 38 | 10 | .263 | 25 | 19 | .760 | ||
| Michael Frazier | 14 | 0 | 233 | 83 | 28 | 25 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 80 | 29 | .363 | 30 | 7 | .233 | 23 | 18 | .783 | ||
| Michael Holyfield | 18 | 3 | 249 | 82 | 77 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 18 | 52 | 32 | .615 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 18 | .514 | |||
| D.J. Shumpert | 22 | 1 | 331 | 61 | 109 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 48 | 25 | .521 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 28 | 11 | .393 | ||
| Lazar Hayward | 12 | 0 | 164 | 60 | 30 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 55 | 21 | .382 | 9 | 0 | .000 | 21 | 18 | .857 | ||
| Jamaal Franklin | 4 | 2 | 103 | 45 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 34 | 16 | .471 | 11 | 4 | .364 | 16 | 9 | .563 | ||
| Jeff Ayres | 2 | 1 | 65 | 33 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 10 | .500 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 14 | 12 | .857 | ||
| Jamal Branch | 10 | 1 | 64 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3 | .300 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 4 | 4 | 1.000 | ||
| Kentrell Gransberry | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .500 |
Playoff Totals
| Player | Pos. | Age | GP | GS | Min | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vander Blue | 9 | 9 | 391 | 238 | 62 | 28 | 16 | 2 | 24 | 187 | 80 | .428 | 46 | 13 | .283 | 75 | 65 | .867 | ||
| Ryan Gomes | 9 | 9 | 312 | 181 | 76 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 15 | 140 | 65 | .464 | 42 | 12 | .286 | 42 | 39 | .929 | ||
| Justin Harper | 9 | 9 | 343 | 172 | 73 | 27 | 6 | 20 | 12 | 142 | 65 | .458 | 54 | 18 | .333 | 32 | 24 | .750 | ||
| Josh Magette | 9 | 9 | 386 | 136 | 35 | 64 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 118 | 51 | .432 | 54 | 21 | .389 | 19 | 13 | .684 | ||
| Andre Ingram | 9 | 9 | 341 | 87 | 38 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 74 | 32 | .432 | 40 | 14 | .350 | 13 | 9 | .692 | ||
| Kenneth Smith | 8 | 0 | 109 | 39 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 12 | .429 | 18 | 8 | .444 | 10 | 7 | .700 | ||
| Lazar Hayward | 4 | 0 | 65 | 29 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 11 | .550 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 7 | 6 | .857 | ||
| Michael Holyfield | 6 | 0 | 73 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 5 | .417 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 | .636 | |||
| D.J. Shumpert | 9 | 0 | 76 | 14 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 19 | 7 | .368 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Justin Hawkins | 6 | 0 | 60 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 3 | .200 | 10 | 2 | .200 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Jamal Branch | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | .750 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Kelly | Primary Stretch Scoring Big (1.1) | 35.7 | High (1.2) | 27.0 | 7.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 107.18 | Versatile frontcourt scorer who could stretch the floor, attack closeouts and finish around the rim rather than simply functioning as a spot-up big. His seven-game assignment became a major scoring outlet for Los Angeles, while his 2.0 blocks per game showed useful timing as a secondary rim protector. Lakers assign Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black to D-Fenders | |
| Manny Harris | Primary Wing Creator (1.1) | 40.0 | High (1.2) | 23.4 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 96.62 | Harris operated as a high-touch scoring wing in an offense that leaned heavily on its guards to create off the pick-and-roll. His ability to manufacture shots while still finding secondary options made him one of the D-Fenders’ central offensive initiators before his midseason move to Texas. | |
| Vander Blue | Lead Shot Creator (1.1) | 38.3 | High (1.2) | 26.3 | 5.0 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 96.36 | Blue was the team’s pressure-release scorer, attacking gaps, getting downhill and repeatedly forcing defenses to deal with him in isolation and pick-and-roll situations. He was already established as a D-League All-Star-level perimeter threat and remained one of Los Angeles’ most dependable creators throughout the season. Lakers to sign G Vander Blue from NBA Development League | All-NBA D-League First Team (2016) |
| Malcolm Thomas | Defensive Anchor / Interior Creator (1.05) | 34.6 | High (1.2) | 17.7 | 12.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 89.71 | Thomas gave the D-Fenders an unusual combination of interior scoring, rebounding and defensive activity. His post presence supplied an outlet when the perimeter attack stalled, while his 2.4 blocks per game made him an important back-line deterrent. | |
| Tarik Black | Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.05) | 32.1 | Medium (1.1) | 16.4 | 11.8 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 74.61 | Black played as a physical interior finisher who generated offense through rolls, dives and second-chance opportunities. His D-Fenders assignments consistently produced much more responsibility than his Lakers minutes, and his combination of rebounding and shot blocking made him a natural defensive anchor for the group. Tarik Black helps the D-Fenders improve to 15-14 | |
| Ryan Gomes | Veteran Two-Way Forward (1.1) | 32.0 | Medium (1.1) | 18.2 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 74.29 | Gomes brought veteran structure to a young affiliate, operating as a scoring forward who could rebound, make the extra pass and occupy multiple frontcourt matchups. He joined the team during the season and quickly became a stabilizing piece, producing nine double-doubles in 31 appearances. L.A. D-Fenders’ Ryan Gomes names 2015-16 NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year | NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year (2016); All-NBA D-League Third Team (2016) |
| Jeff Ayres | Starting Interior Presence (1.05) | 32.5 | Medium (1.1) | 16.5 | 13.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 71.61 | Ayres supplied veteran interior stability during his short D-Fenders stint, working primarily as a screen-setting, rebounding and finishing big rather than a perimeter creator. His quick transition back toward the NBA after joining Los Angeles underscored the value of his experience and physical presence. | All-NBA D-League First Team (2016) |
| Josh Magette | Franchise Floor General (1.05) | 38.0 | Medium (1.1) | 11.5 | 4.5 | 9.1 | 2.5 | 63.76 | Magette was the offensive organizer, constantly manipulating defenses with the ball and keeping the D-Fenders’ attack moving. His diminutive frame belied the amount of control he had over possessions; he played with a chip on his shoulder and treated every opposing point guard matchup as a personal test. Josh Magette is proving himself with the D-Fenders while he waits for his NBA calling | |
| Justin Harper | Stretch Big (1.05) | 28.9 | Medium (1.1) | 15.3 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 55.44 | Harper functioned as a floor-spacing forward whose outside shooting forced opposing bigs away from the paint. That shooting versatility helped him earn a midseason NBA opportunity with Detroit, where his ability to open driving lanes was part of his appeal. Los Pistons firman a Justin Harper por 10 días | D-League All-Star (2016) |
| Jabari Brown | Lead Scoring Wing (1.05) | 27.4 | High (1.2) | 16.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 52.92 | Brown’s role centered on aggressive scoring: he attacked the basket, hunted shooting opportunities and used his strength to draw fouls. His return from China reinforced the same identity he had shown previously with the D-Fenders, where his smooth scoring package and knack for getting to the line made him a natural offensive focal point. Jabari Brown’s journey to China left him hungry for his next shot at the NBA | |
| Jamaal Franklin | Secondary Offensive Creator (1.05) | 25.8 | Medium (1.1) | 11.3 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 50.13 | Franklin offered a compact burst of two-way creation, capable of handling the ball, attacking mismatches and contributing on the glass. His D-Fenders stint was brief before he moved overseas, so the sample is too small to treat the production as a settled long-term role. | |
| Anthony Brown | Starting Two-Way Wing (1.05) | 33.6 | Medium (1.1) | 14.6 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 49.20 | Brown was used as a perimeter spacer and secondary attacker, with his best opportunities coming when the D-Fenders’ guard-heavy offense collapsed the defense and created kick-out chances. His development assignment was designed to give the rookie far more responsibility than he could find in the Lakers’ rotation. Lakers assign rookie guard/forward Anthony Brown to D-Fenders | |
| Justin Hawkins | Defensive Utility Forward (1.05) | 27.3 | Low (1.0) | 10.6 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 37.38 | Hawkins filled a complementary forward role, providing size, rebounding and opportunistic perimeter shooting without needing the offense built around him. His value came more from fitting around the D-Fenders’ primary creators than from high-volume shot creation. | |
| Andre Ingram | Movement Shooting Specialist (1.05) | 26.4 | Low (1.0) | 10.4 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 33.39 | Ingram’s clearest offensive identity was still elite perimeter shooting, particularly from spot-up and movement situations. His 2016 three-point contest victory reinforced that reputation, but he also remained useful as a low-maintenance rotation guard who could space the floor without dominating possessions. D-Fenders’ Andre Ingram impresses with win in D-League 3-point contest | D-League Three-Point Contest Champion (2016) |
| Robert Upshaw | Developing Rim Protector (1.05) | 15.6 | Low (1.0) | 7.3 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 28.98 | Upshaw was a developmental center whose greatest immediate value came from size and shot-blocking instincts. He was still learning how to translate his physical tools into consistent possessions, but the D-Fenders gave him a controlled environment to work on post offense, mobility and defensive positioning. Robert Upshaw’s education with the D-Fenders is helping him chase his Lakers dream | |
| Michael Frazier | Spot-Up Wing Reserve (1.0) | 16.6 | Low (1.0) | 5.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 21.00 | Frazier’s role was largely complementary: space the floor, attack closeouts and capitalize when the D-Fenders’ primary guards drew defensive attention. His development value came from learning to translate a shooting-oriented college game into a faster professional system. | |
| Michael Holyfield | Frontcourt Depth Piece (1.0) | 13.8 | Low (1.0) | 4.6 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 21.00 | Holyfield provided reserve size and physical rebounding in the frontcourt, with limited touches and a straightforward defensive assignment. His move from Iowa to Los Angeles during the season left him in a depth role, although he could still provide useful interior energy when called upon. D-Fenders Acquire Lazar Hayward and Michael Holyfield in Two Separate Trades | |
| D.J. Shumpert | Defensive Utility Big Wing (1.0) | 15.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.8 | 5.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 20.60 | Shumpert’s contribution came primarily through physical defense, rebounding and activity around the basket rather than offensive volume. He was the sort of rotation piece who could absorb difficult defensive assignments while allowing the team’s higher-usage creators to stay fresh. | |
| Zach Andrews | Veteran Interior Reserve (1.0) | 13.2 | Low (1.0) | 5.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 20.20 | Andrews was a seasoned frontcourt reserve whose job was straightforward: screen, rebound, defend the interior and provide dependable minutes. His season ended with a trade to Iowa, leaving him more as a depth stabilizer than a featured part of the D-Fenders’ attack. Iowa Energy Acquire Zach Andrews and Two Draft Picks | |
| Lazar Hayward | Veteran Reserve Forward (1.0) | 13.7 | Low (1.0) | 5.0 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 16.40 | Hayward was used as a veteran depth forward after joining Los Angeles late in the season. The small role limited his offensive influence, but his experience gave the D-Fenders another physically mature option for short frontcourt stretches. D-Fenders Acquire Lazar Hayward and Michael Holyfield in Two Separate Trades | |
| Kenneth Smith | Backup Point Guard (1.0) | 13.6 | Low (1.0) | 2.9 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 15.20 | Smith worked as a reserve ball-handler behind the D-Fenders’ primary creators, with his value tied to moving the ball and keeping possessions organized. His limited scoring burden made him more of a connective guard than a second-unit shot hunter. | |
| Kentrell Gransberry | Frontcourt Depth Reserve (1.0) | 7.0 | Low (1.0) | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.00 | Gransberry’s season was essentially a cameo, with only one appearance and a small reserve role. There is not enough contemporary independent coverage to support a broader assessment beyond his use as a physical frontcourt depth option. | |
| Jamal Branch | Energy Guard Reserve (1.0) | 6.4 | Low (1.0) | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 5.00 | Branch saw limited minutes in a crowded D-Fenders backcourt, functioning mainly as reserve guard depth. His small sample makes it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about a larger offensive role, and contemporary season-specific coverage is limited. |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Kelly | Primary Stretch Scorer (1.1) | 35.7 | High (1.2) | 27.0 | 7.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 107.18 | Kelly operated as a scoring big with genuine perimeter range, but his playoff value went beyond shooting. He could attack a closeout, finish awkwardly around the rim and provide timely help defense; his D-Fenders assignment gave him the heavy workload he had struggled to find with the Lakers. Silver Screen and Roll — Lakers assign Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black to D-Fenders | |
| Manny Harris | High-Volume Wing Creator (1.1) | 40.0 | High (1.2) | 23.4 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 96.62 | Harris functioned as a high-touch perimeter scorer and secondary playmaker, comfortable creating his own offense rather than waiting for catch-and-shoot chances. The independent season record is complicated by his midseason departure from Los Angeles, so the eight-game sample here should be treated cautiously. Sportando — Manny Harris officially signs with Turk Telekom Ankara | |
| Vander Blue | Primary Wing Creator (1.1) | 38.3 | High (1.2) | 26.3 | 5.0 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 96.36 | Blue was the D-Fenders’ principal downhill creator, attacking from the perimeter and putting pressure on defenses before using his athleticism to finish or draw fouls. By the postseason he had become the offensive pressure point opposing defenses had to account for, averaging 27.2 points entering the Finals. MyNewsLA — D-Fenders open NBA development league finals Sunday in El Segundo | All-NBA D-League First Team (2016); D-League Player of the Month (February 2016); D-League Performer of the Week (February 2016) |
| Malcolm Thomas | Two-Way Frontcourt Hub (1.05) | 34.6 | High (1.2) | 17.7 | 12.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 89.71 | Thomas supplied the kind of mobile interior presence that could score inside while also covering ground defensively. His rebounding and shot-blocking gave the frontcourt a defensive backbone, while his passing allowed the offense to avoid becoming entirely guard dependent. His NBA opportunities during the season also reflected the value of that versatility. The Times of Israel — Maccabi Tel Aviv signs US recruit | |
| Tarik Black | Rim-Running Interior Anchor (1.05) | 32.1 | Medium (1.1) | 16.4 | 11.8 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 74.61 | Black was most effective as a physical interior finisher and defensive presence, using strength around the basket rather than stretching the floor. His D-Fenders assignments produced far more touches and rebounding responsibility than his Lakers role, and his ability to protect the rim gave Los Angeles a useful interior counterweight. Silver Screen and Roll — Lakers assign Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black to D-Fenders | |
| Ryan Gomes | Veteran Two-Way Forward (1.1) | 32.0 | Medium (1.1) | 18.2 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 74.29 | Gomes brought veteran structure to a playoff team built around players chasing NBA opportunities. He could score from the forward spots, rebound through contact and make the extra pass, while his leadership became particularly important as injuries reduced Los Angeles’ depth late in the Finals. Silver Screen and Roll — D-Fenders’ selfless culture on display in win over Reno Bighorns | NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year (2016); All-NBA D-League Third Team (2016) |
| Jeff Ayres | Veteran Pick-and-Roll Big (1.05) | 32.5 | Medium (1.1) | 16.5 | 13.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 71.61 | Ayres arrived late but immediately gave Los Angeles another experienced interior body, with his value centered on screening, rolling, rebounding and finishing rather than perimeter creation. The veteran was quickly back on an NBA roster, limiting his D-Fenders playoff sample but adding important frontcourt stability while available. L.A. D-Fenders acquire Jeff Ayres — OurSports Central | All-NBA D-League First Team (2016); D-League All-Star (2016) |
| Josh Magette | Playmaking Floor General (1.05) | 42.9 | Medium (1.1) | 15.1 | 3.9 | 7.1 | 2.6 | 63.76 | Magette was the possession manager, using patience in the pick-and-roll to drag help defenders toward him before finding cutters and shooters. His playmaking became especially important in the postseason, when Los Angeles leaned heavily on its starters and needed one guard capable of organizing nearly every possession. Silver Screen and Roll — D-Fenders’ selfless culture on display in win over Reno Bighorns | |
| Justin Harper | Stretch-Four Scoring Threat (1.05) | 38.1 | Medium (1.1) | 19.1 | 8.1 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 55.44 | Harper gave the playoff lineup a valuable inside-out scoring option, able to pull larger defenders away from the paint while still attacking the interior. He was also one of the team’s most important secondary scoring outlets behind Blue, and his postseason production helped keep defenses from loading entirely toward the lead guard. Silver Screen and Roll — Los Angeles D-Fenders vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce: NBA D-League Finals preview | D-League All-Star (2016) |
| Jabari Brown | Isolation Scoring Guard (1.05) | 27.4 | High (1.2) | 16.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 52.92 | Brown returned to Los Angeles after leading Foshan’s offense in China and immediately offered another aggressive shot-maker for the D-Fenders. His game was built around getting downhill and hunting scoring opportunities, although a knee injury ended his season before he could participate in the playoff run. Silver Screen and Roll — Jabari Brown’s journey to China left him hungry for his next shot at the NBA | |
| Anthony Brown | Developmental Two-Way Wing (1.05) | 33.6 | Medium (1.1) | 14.6 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 49.20 | Brown’s assignment was fundamentally developmental: give a young NBA wing real possessions, defensive responsibility and enough offensive freedom to build confidence. His size and shooting made him useful as a spacer around higher-usage creators, although the playoff sample is small. Los Angeles Times — Lakers assign rookie guard/forward Anthony Brown to D-Fenders | |
| Justin Hawkins | Two-Way Rotation Forward (1.05) | 27.3 | Low (1.0) | 10.6 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 37.38 | Hawkins supplied a physical complementary presence rather than demanding possessions, with his value coming from defending multiple spots, rebounding and taking open perimeter chances. He had already shown the ability to erupt offensively during the season, but the playoff role was more about fitting around the D-Fenders’ established creators. D-Fenders Beat BayHawks Behind Hawkins’ Career-High — OurSports Central | |
| Jamaal Franklin | Slashing Secondary Creator (1.05) | 25.8 | Low (1.0) | 11.3 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 36.46 | Franklin offered a useful blend of ball handling, rebounding and defensive activity, but his return to the D-Fenders came specifically for the postseason after spending part of the season overseas. That made him more of a situational creator than a fully established piece of the playoff rotation. D-Fenders Reacquire Jamal Branch — OurSports Central | |
| Andre Ingram | Movement Shooting Specialist (1.05) | 37.9 | Low (1.0) | 9.7 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 33.39 | Ingram functioned as the lineup’s purest spacing weapon, using movement and quick-trigger shooting to punish defensive help. His reputation as a premier D-League shooter was well established before the playoffs, including a second three-point contest title after making 39 of 50 attempts in the competition. Los Angeles Times — D-Fenders’ Andre Ingram impresses with win in D-League 3-point contest | D-League Three-Point Contest Champion (2016) |
| Robert Upshaw | Developing Rim Protector (1.05) | 15.6 | Low (1.0) | 7.3 | 4.5 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 28.98 | Upshaw was still a developmental center, with his value concentrated around length, rebounding and shot blocking rather than polished offense. Earlier in the season he was described as raw and still working through conditioning issues, making the postseason workload a limited but useful developmental opportunity. Silver Screen and Roll — Lakers forward Tarik Black dominates in D-Fenders win | |
| Michael Frazier | Catch-and-Shoot Guard Reserve (1.0) | 16.6 | Low (1.0) | 5.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 21.00 | Frazier’s professional role centered on spacing and perimeter decision-making rather than creating offense from scratch. The rookie guard had already been moved between D-League assignments during the season, so his playoff involvement represented a depth option rather than a featured scoring role. University of Florida — Michael Frazier II profile and professional career coverage | |
| Michael Holyfield | Physical Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) | 13.8 | Low (1.0) | 4.6 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 21.00 | Holyfield supplied reserve size and interior physicality, with his playoff minutes generally tied to frontcourt depth rather than designed offense. His midseason move from Iowa to Los Angeles gave the D-Fenders another body for a postseason rotation that ultimately became stretched by injuries. D-Fenders Acquire Lazar Hayward and Michael Holyfield — OurSports Central | |
| D.J. Shumpert | Defensive Utility Forward (1.0) | 8.4 | Low (1.0) | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 20.60 | Shumpert’s job was primarily physical and defensive: absorb minutes, battle on the glass and use his size around the interior. His role was small, but the D-Fenders ultimately needed every available frontcourt defender as injuries narrowed the rotation during the Finals. Silver Screen and Roll — Skyforce hammer D-Fenders in D-League Finals | |
| Zach Andrews | Veteran Paint Reserve (1.0) | 13.2 | Low (1.0) | 5.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 20.20 | Andrews was a veteran interior option whose value came from screens, rebounding and physical defense rather than offensive creation. His role was reduced as the D-Fenders accumulated more frontcourt talent, leaving him primarily as depth when the playoff rotation required another big body. Iowa Energy Acquire Zach Andrews and Two Draft Picks — OurSports Central | |
| Lazar Hayward | Veteran Defensive Forward (1.0) | 16.3 | Low (1.0) | 7.3 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 16.40 | Hayward brought veteran wing-forward experience to a team that increasingly needed adaptable role players. His offensive burden was modest, but his physicality and ability to cover either forward spot made him useful insurance during a playoff run repeatedly affected by injuries. Marquette — MU Continues Success In Professional Ranks | |
| Kenneth Smith | Backup Ball-Handling Guard (1.0) | 13.6 | Low (1.0) | 4.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 15.20 | Smith operated as a reserve organizer, keeping the ball moving and relieving the primary creators rather than hunting shots. His limited playoff minutes reflected a crowded backcourt, but his familiarity with the D-Fenders’ system made him a practical depth option. Kenneth Smith player profile — ShamSports | |
| Kentrell Gransberry | Emergency Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) | 7.0 | Low (1.0) | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.00 | Gransberry’s role was strictly depth-oriented, with the playoff sample too small to suggest a larger tactical responsibility. The D-Fenders’ postseason run was built around a heavily used core, leaving little room for fringe frontcourt options. D-Fenders season and roster archive — OurSports Central | |
| Jamal Branch | Energy Guard Reserve (1.0) | 4.0 | Low (1.0) | 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 5.00 | Branch returned specifically for the D-League playoffs after being waived earlier in the season, giving Los Angeles another reserve ball-handler for the postseason. With only a one-game sample here, his impact is best viewed as emergency backcourt depth rather than a sustained rotation role. D-Fenders playoff archive — OurSports Central | |
| Team Totals | — | 247.6 | 272.8 | 83.9 | 32.7 | 1,128.62 |