Jazz pull clever trick, call up Sundiata Gaines

In a very tricky move, the Jazz called up Sundiata Gaines from the Idaho Stampede of the D-League. Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor flew to Boise last week to watch the Utah Flash play the Stampede, leaving everyone guessing that Dontell Jefferson of the Flash was the likely target.

Gaines has appeared in all 14 of Idaho’s games this season, averaging a team-high 23.9 points (fourth in the NBA D-League) to go with 6.9 assists (third in the NBA D-League), 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals (third in the NBA D-League). He has scored in double figures in all 14 games, while recording two double-doubles. He scored a season-high 31 points twice, the first time on Nov. 28, 2009 in a home victory over the Reno Bighorns and again on Dec. 18 in a road win over Bakersfield. Gaines was named the D-League’s Co-Performer of the Week for games played during the first 10 days of the season after averaging a league-leading 27.0 points while shooting .603 percent (38-63) from the field and handing out 8.3 assists.

The 6-1 guard from Georgia averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals during his senior season. For his efforts, he was named All-SEC Second Team during his junior and senior campaigns, and was the SEC Tournament MVP in 2008.

Gaines is expected to join the Jazz this afternoon and be available tomorrow night when the team hosts the Memphis Grizzlies.