NBA roundup: Union set to appeal Taylor’s suspension

The NBA Players Association is prepared to appeal the NBA’s 24-game suspension of Charlotte Hornets forward Jeffery Taylor, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said Thursday.

Roberts called the suspension handed down by commissioner Adam Silver excessive and in violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Silver announced Taylor’s suspension this week after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence assault and malicious destruction of hotel property in East Lansing, Mich., in late September.

“The CBA contemplates a minimum 10-game suspension in any case involving a conviction for a violent felony, including domestic violence,” Roberts said. “In contrast, Jeff Taylor was charged with a misdemeanor that is likely to be dismissed at the end of a probationary period. The 24-game suspension is one of the longest in the history of the league.”

–The Atlanta Hawks sent rookie forward/center Adreian Payne to Fort Wayne of the NBA Development League.

Payne was the Hawks’ first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Michigan State. He has yet to play for the Hawks in the regular season because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

—The Dallas Mavericks assigned Ricky Ledo to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, the Mavericks announced.

Ledo has been inactive in each of the Mavericks’ 12 games this season.

—The Washington Wizards assigned guard Glen Rice Jr. to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League, the Wizards announced.

Rice has played in five games this season for Washington, averaging 2.2 points in 8.5 minutes per game.