NBA Development League

"D-League" redirects here. For the Philippine Basketball Association's D-League, see PBA Developmental League.
NBA Development League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2015–16 NBA Development League season

NBA Development League logo
Sport Basketball
Founded 2001
Inaugural season 2001–02
President Malcolm Turner
No. of teams 19 (22 in the 2016–17 season)
Country United States, Canada
Continent Americas
Most recent champion(s) Sioux Falls Skyforce (1st title)
Most titles Three teams (2 titles)
TV partner(s) ESPN/NBA TV/NBA TV Canada/YouTube
Official website NBADLeague.com

The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until the summer of 2005 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL),[1] the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001. In March 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern announced a plan to expand the NBA D-League to fifteen teams and develop it into a true minor league farm system, with each NBA D-League team affiliated with one or more NBA teams. At the conclusion of the 2013–14 NBA season, 33% of NBA players had spent time in the NBA D-League, up from 23% in 2011. Beginning in the 2015–16 NBA Development League season, the league will consist of 19 teams; all of whom will be either single-affiliated or owned by an NBA team. The Fort Wayne Mad Ants had been the lone exception, until they were acquired by the Indiana Pacers in September 2015.

History

The league began its play as the NBDL in the 2001–02 season; the original eight franchises were all located in the southeastern United States (specifically in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia).

In the summer of 2005, some of these teams were purchased by private owners and relocated—at the same time the league's name was changed—in a bid to appeal to more fans nationwide. As a result, franchises were established in or moved to Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma. In February 2006, the D-League expanded to California for the first time with the addition of the Bakersfield Jam. Two months later, the league announced that four teams from the Continental Basketball Association were joining the league: the Dakota Wizards, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Idaho Stampede, and a team originally slated for CBA expansion, the Colorado 14ers.[2][3] A few days after that, the league announced that Anaheim, California, would be getting a team.[4] One week after that, they announced that the Los Angeles Lakers have purchased a team, making them the first NBA team to own a D-League team.[5] The westward expansion contributed to the contraction of the NBA-owned Roanoke Dazzle[6] and Fayetteville Patriots.[7] The Florida Flame have suspended operations due to arena scheduling difficulties.[8]

Today, no NBA D-League teams remain in the league's original Southeastern footprint; however that will change in the 2016–17 season when the Greensboro Swarm (D-League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets) makes its debut becoming the first Southeastern NBA D-League team in years. On November 5, 2009, the Texas Legends made history by hiring Nancy Lieberman as head coach, the first female head coach to lead an NBA or NBA D-League team.

On January 4, 2010, the league announced its first national television agreement with Versus. Select D-League games and a majority of the playoffs were aired on Versus for two seasons, before the league's national TV contract was moved to the CBS Sports Network for the subsequent two years. Since the 2014–15 season, nationally-televised NBA D-League games are currently aired on ESPNU. Select games are also streamed live on YouTube.

On March 10, 2014, the New York Knicks announced that they had acquired the right to own and operate an NBA D-League team that will play in White Plains, New York. The new team became the NBA D-League’s 18th team and is the exclusive affiliate of the New York Knicks, playing its home games at the Westchester County Center, approximately 30 miles north of New York City. With the purchase, the Knicks become the seventh NBA team to fully own and operate their own NBA D-League affiliate.[9]

On May 27, 2015, it was announced that the Toronto Raptors would receive their own team in the Greater Toronto Area for the 2015–16 season.[10] On June 29, 2015 it was announced that the team will play in the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario and would be named Raptors 905. The team is named after the area code that covers most of Toronto's suburbs.[11]

Currently the league is split into two Conferences: Eastern and Western. In the Eastern Conference there are there are two divisions: Atlantic and Central. The Atlantic Division includes: the Delaware 87ers, the Erie BayHawks, the Maine Red Claws, the Westchester Knicks, and Raptors 905. The Central Division includes: the Canton Charge, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Grand Rapids Drive, the Iowa Energy and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In the Western Conference there are two divisions: Southwest and West. The Southwest Division includes: the Austin Spurs, the Oklahoma City Blue, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and the Texas Legends. The West Division includes: the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Northern Arizona Suns, the Reno Bighorns, the Salt Lake City Stars, and the Santa Cruz Warriors.

All-Star Game

The NBA Development League held its first All-Star game February 17, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. As with the NBA's showcase game, a fan vote determined the starting lineup for each team. The East won, 114 to 100, with Pops Mensah-Bonsu named the game's MVP.[12]

The second annual All-Star game was held on February 16, 2008, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Blue team beat the Red team, 117–99, and Jeremy Richardson was named the MVP. In addition to the NBA D-League All-Star Game, the league debuted its first Dream Factory Friday Night events, which modeled after the NBA All-Star Saturday Night events. The events consists of Three-Point Shootout (won by Adam Harrington), Slam Dunk Contest (won by Brent Petway) and game of H.O.R.S.E. (won by Lance Allred).[13]

The 2009 D-League All-Star game was held on February 14, 2009, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Red Team defeated the Blue Team, 113–103, and Blake Ahearn and Courtney Sims were named co-MVPs.[14] Along with the All-Star game, the NBA D-League ran their second annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. H.O.R.S.E., which debuted last year, was won by Will Conroy of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. The Three-Point Shootout was won by Blake Ahearn of the Dakota Wizards, and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by James White of the Bakersfield Jam.[15]

The 2010 D-League All-Star game was held on February 13, 2010, at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The Western Conference team defeated the Eastern Conference Team, 98–81. Bakersfield Jam center Brian Butch, who scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, was named as the MVP of the game.[16] The NBA D-League also ran their third annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. The inaugural Shooting Stars Competition was won by a team of Pat Carroll, Trey Gilder and Carlos Powell. The Three-Point Shootout was won by Andre Ingram of the Utah Flash, and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by Dar Tucker of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[17]

D-League Showcase

The league stages an annual NBA D-League Showcase in which all of the league's teams play each other in a "carnival" format. The showcase was first played in 2005 was originally intended solely as a scouting event for NBA general managers and scouts, but has evolved into a fan-friendly four-day event in which each team plays two games apiece. Since the inception of the event in 2005, there have been 15 players called-up or recalled during or immediately following the Showcase. The showcase has been hosted in Columbus, Georgia (2005), Fayetteville, North Carolina (2006), Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2007), Boise, Idaho (2008), Orem, Utah (2009), Boise, Idaho (2010), South Padre Island, Texas (2011), and Reno, Nevada in 2012 and 2013, and Santa Cruz, California in 2015.

Draft

The NBA D-League Draft occurs each season and is the major source from which teams build their rosters. Team rosters are made up of returning players (players who were on the team during the previous season), allocated players (players who have local significance), and drafted players. The 8 round draft utilizes a "serpentine" format, meaning the order alternates in each round; Team A who selected first in Round 1 will select last in Round 2, while Team B who selected last in Round 1 will get the first pick in Round 2. Round 3 was added in 2014

Player allocations

Players for NBA D-League teams do not sign contracts with the individual teams, but with the league itself. D-League team rosters consist of a total of 12 players, 10 (or fewer) being D-League players and two (or more) NBA players. The rosters are made up in a number of ways: the previous years' players, players taken in the D-League draft, allocation players (meaning players who are assigned to a team with which they have a local connection, such as a University of Texas player being assigned to the Austin Spurs), NBA team assignments, and local tryouts.

Each NBA team can assign two first- or second-year players to its affiliated D-League team. If more than two NBA players are assigned to a team, the team must reduce the number of D-League players to keep the total roster size to 12. An NBA player will continue to be paid his NBA salary and will continue to be included on his NBA team’s roster on the inactive list while playing in the D-League.[18] Each team also has local tryouts, and one player from the tryouts is assigned to the team.

The minimum age to play in the NBDL is 18,[19] unlike the NBA which requires players to be 19 years old and one year out of high school in order to sign an NBA contract or be eligible for the draft. The tallest player ever to be assigned is Hasheem Thabeet, the second player selected in the 2009 NBA Draft. The tallest player to ever play, though, was the Canadian Sim Bhullar, who would play alongside one of the shortest players in Tajuan Porter during the 2014–15 season at for the Reno Bighorns.

NBA teams can call up players as many times as they choose, and there is no limit to the number of times an NBA player with three years or less experience can be assigned to the D-League. Starting in 2011–12, veteran NBA players could be assigned with their consent.[20] The first example of such was with Yi Jianlian, who the Dallas Mavericks assigned to the Texas Legends for two games.

Successful NBA call-ups

Many former NBA draftees, waived players and undrafted players have played in the NBA D-League. Some of the called-up D-League players that went on to have successful NBA careers include Hassan Whiteside, Rafer Alston, Louis Amundson, Chris Andersen, Kelenna Azubuike, Devin Brown, Will Bynum, Matt Carroll, Eddie Gill, Stephen Graham, Jason Hart, Chuck Hayes, Anthony Johnson, Dahntay Jones, Jamario Moon, Mikki Moore, Smush Parker, Bobby Simmons, Ime Udoka, Von Wafer, C. J. Watson, and Mike Wilks.[21] Aside from these players, there are several successful NBA players who were assigned to the D-League in their first and second season, such as José Juan Barea, Brandon Bass, Andray Blatche, Avery Bradley, Aaron Brooks, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, Marcin Gortat, Ramon Sessions, Jeremy Lin, Danny Green and Martell Webster.[22]

Currently, there are only 29 players with D-League experience who won an NBA title: one (Tremaine Fowlkes) with the Detroit Pistons in 2003–04, two (Devin Brown and Mike Wilks) with the San Antonio Spurs in 2004–05, two (Earl Barron and Dorell Wright) with the Miami Heat in 2005–06, one (James White) with the San Antonio Spurs in 2006–07, one (Gabe Pruitt) with the Boston Celtics in 2007–08, one (Sun Yue) with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008–09, three (Shannon Brown , Jordan Farmar, and Josh Powell) with the Lakers in both 2008–09[23] and 2009–10, four (Jose Juan Barea, Rodrigue Beaubois, Ian Mahinmi, and Dominique Jones) with the Dallas Mavericks in 2010–11, two (Dexter Pittman and Terrel Harris) with the Heat in 2011–12, two (Jarvis Varnado and Chris Andersen) with the Heat in 2012–13, a record six (Aron Baynes, Austin Daye, Danny Green, Damion James, Cory Joseph, and Patty Mills) with the Spurs in 2013–14, and four (Ognjen Kuzmic, James Michael McAdoo, Justin Holiday, and Festus Ezeli) with the Golden State Warriors in 2014–15. Bobby Simmons and Aaron Brooks are the only former D-League players to win an NBA end of season award; Simmons won the Most Improved Player Award with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004–05 and Brooks won the Most Improved Player Award with the Houston Rockets in 2009–10.[24][25]

In the 2008 NBA Draft, the Idaho Stampede's Mike Taylor was drafted 55th by the Portland Trail Blazers. He became the first player from the NBA D-League to be drafted by an NBA team. He was subsequently traded and signed a rookie contract with Los Angeles Clippers.[26] In the 2010 NBA Draft, the Tulsa 66ers' Latavious Williams was drafted 48th by the Miami Heat and later traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA team affiliated with the 66ers.[27] One year later, in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Bakersfield Jam's Chukwudiebere Maduabum was drafted 56th by the then-affiliated Los Angeles Lakers and later traded to the Denver Nuggets.[28] Glen Rice, Jr. of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers was the highest D-League draftee in the 2013 NBA Draft, when he was selected 35th by the Philadelphia 76ers and traded to the Washington Wizards.[29] At the 2014 NBA Draft, two D-League players were selected for the first time: P. J. Hairston was drafted 26th (which was also the first time a D–League player was drafted in the first round in the NBA) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo was the 51st pick.

Teams

Current teams

Eastern Conference
Division Team City/Area Arena Capacity Founded NBA affiliate Ownership
Atlantic Delaware 87ersNewark, DEBob Carpenter Center5,1002007[lower-alpha 1]Philadelphia 76ersParent club
Erie BayHawksErie, PAErie Insurance Arena6,7502008Orlando Magic[30]Hybrid
Maine Red ClawsPortland, MEPortland Exposition Building3,1002009Boston CelticsHybrid
Raptors 905Mississauga, ONHershey Centre5,0002015Toronto Raptors[11]Parent club
Westchester KnicksWhite Plains, NYWestchester County Center5,0002014New York KnicksParent club
Central Canton ChargeCanton, OHCanton Memorial Civic Center5,2002001[lower-alpha 2]Cleveland CavaliersParent club
Fort Wayne Mad AntsFort Wayne, INAllen County War Memorial Coliseum13,0002007Indiana PacersParent club
Grand Rapids DriveWalker, MIDeltaPlex Arena4,5002006[lower-alpha 3]Detroit PistonsHybrid
Iowa EnergyDes Moines, IAWells Fargo Arena16,1102007Memphis Grizzlies[31]Hybrid
Sioux Falls SkyforceSioux Falls, SDSanford Pentagon3,2501989[lower-alpha 4]Miami HeatHybrid
Western Conference
Division Team City Arena Capacity Founded NBA affiliate(s) Ownership
Southwest Austin SpursCedar Park, TXH-E-B Center at Cedar Park7,2002001[lower-alpha 5]San Antonio SpursParent club
Oklahoma City BlueOklahoma City, OKCox Convention Center13,8462001[lower-alpha 6]Oklahoma City ThunderParent club
Rio Grande Valley VipersHidalgo, TXState Farm Arena5,5002007Houston RocketsHybrid
Texas LegendsFrisco, TXDr Pepper Arena4,5002006[lower-alpha 7]Dallas MavericksHybrid
West Los Angeles D-FendersEl Segundo, CAToyota Sports Center3362006[lower-alpha 8]Los Angeles LakersParent club
Northern Arizona SunsPrescott Valley, AZPrescott Valley Event Center5,1002006[lower-alpha 9]Phoenix Suns[32]Parent club
Reno BighornsReno, NVReno Events Center7,0002008Sacramento KingsHybrid
Salt Lake City StarsSalt Lake City, UTLifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena5,0001997[lower-alpha 10]Utah Jazz[33]Parent club
Santa Cruz WarriorsSanta Cruz, CAKaiser Permanente Arena2,5051995[lower-alpha 11]Golden State WarriorsParent club
Future
Division Team City Arena Capacity Founded NBA affiliate(s) Ownership
Greensboro Swarm Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Pavilion 2,500 2015 Charlotte Hornets Parent Club
Long Island Nets New York City, NY Barclays Center 17,732 2015 Brooklyn Nets Parent Club
Windy City Bulls Hoffman Estates, IL Sears Centre 10,000 2015 Chicago Bulls Parent Club
  1. ↑ As the Utah Flash.
  2. ↑ As the Huntsville Flight.
  3. ↑ As the Springfield Armor.
  4. ↑ Played in the Continental Basketball Association and the International Basketball League (1999–2001) before joining the NBA D-League in 2006.
  5. ↑ As the Columbus Riverdragons.
  6. ↑ As the Asheville Altitude.
  7. ↑ As the Colorado 14ers.
  8. ↑ Did not field a team for the 2010–2011 season.
  9. ↑ As the Bakersfield Jam.
  10. ↑ Played as the Idaho Stampede in the Continental Basketball Association before joining the NBA D-League in 2006.
  11. ↑ As the Dakota Wizards; Played in the International Basketball Association and the Continental Basketball Association before joining the NBA D-League in 2006.

Team ownership and NBA affiliations

Ownership models vary across the NBA D-League. Growing willingness among NBA organizations to invest in the D-League has led to two main models: direct ownership of D-League teams by parent NBA clubs and single-affiliate partnerships in which the D-League team remains independently owned while the parent club runs and finances basketball operations.

Parent club direct ownership began in 2006 when the Los Angeles Lakers bought their own NBA D-League franchise followed by the San Antonio Spurs purchasing the Austin Toros in 2007 and the Oklahoma City Thunder purchasing the Tulsa 66ers in 2008. This led to more NBA teams to either purchase existing franchises or create expansion teams in order to have their own single-affiliation teams. In 2011, the Cleveland Cavaliers purchased the New Mexico Thunderbirds to become the Canton Charge and the Golden State Warriors purchased the Dakota Wizards. In 2013, the Philadelphia 76ers purchased the inactive Utah Flash and moved them to Newark, Delaware, as the Delaware 87ers. In 2015, the Toronto Raptors created their own expansion franchise, the Raptors 905.

In 2009, the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers pioneered the single-affiliate partnership, also known as the hybrid model. In November 2010, the New Jersey Nets and Springfield Armor announced they would enter into a single-affiliate partnership that began in 2011–12. In June 2011, the New York Knicks and Erie BayHawks announced they would be single-affiliated. In May 2012, the Portland Trail Blazers entered into a single-affiliated partnership with the Idaho Stampede. The following month, the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws announced a single-affiliation partnership. In June 2013, the Miami Heat announced that they had entered into a single-affiliated partnership with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In July 2013, the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns entered into a single-affiliation. The Stampede ended their affiliation with the Trail Blazers after the 2013–14 season and in June 2014 announced their affiliation with the Utah Jazz. The Armor moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan after the 2013–14 season and affiliated with the Detroit Pistons. In May 2014, the Memphis Grizzlies and Iowa Energy entered into a single-affiliation partnership. In 2015, the last multiple affiliate team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, was purchased by the Indiana Pacers making the 2015–16 season the first with all teams having single-affiliations.

In some cases, the hybrid affiliation led to the parent team buying the D-League franchise outright. On March 24, 2015, the Utah Jazz purchased their affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, and after one more season in Boise relocated the team to Salt Lake City. On April 11, 2016, the Phoenix Suns purchased their affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam, and announced the immediate relocation of the team to Prescott Valley, Arizona as the Northern Arizona Suns beginning with the 2016–17 season.[34]

Parent club ownership: Austin Spurs (by the San Antonio Spurs), Canton Charge (by the Cleveland Cavaliers), Delaware 87ers (by the Philadelphia 76ers), Fort Wayne Mad Ants (by the Indiana Pacers), Los Angeles D-Fenders (by the Los Angeles Lakers), Northern Arizona Suns (by the Phoenix Suns), Oklahoma City Blue (by the Oklahoma City Thunder), Raptors 905 (by the Toronto Raptors), Salt Lake City Stars (by the Utah Jazz), Santa Cruz Warriors (by the Golden State Warriors), and the Westchester Knicks (by the New York Knicks).[35]

Single affiliation/hybrid model: Erie BayHawks (with the Orlando Magic), Grand Rapids Drive (with the Detroit Pistons), Iowa Energy (with the Memphis Grizzlies), Maine Red Claws (with the Boston Celtics), Reno Bighorns (with the Sacramento Kings), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (with the Houston Rockets), Sioux Falls Skyforce (with the Miami Heat), and the Texas Legends (with the Dallas Mavericks).

NBA teams without an exclusive affiliate: Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards.

NBA teams with future affiliations (all by parent club ownership, starting in 2016–17): Brooklyn Nets (with the Long Island Nets), Charlotte Hornets (with the Greensboro Swarm), and Chicago Bulls (with the Windy City Bulls)

Expansion

Expansion has been scarce over the years; however, by the 2016–17 NBA D-League season, three new franchises will begin play as affiliates for the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and the Chicago Bulls.

On May 4, 2015, the Charlotte Hornets were the first to announce that they plan to bring an NBA D-League team to the Carolinas, to start in the 2016–17 season.[36] Rumored cities included Asheville, North Carolina (former home of the Altitude),[37] Fayetteville, North Carolina (former home of the Patriots), Raleigh, North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina,[38][39] Columbia, South Carolina,[40] Greenville, South Carolina (former home of the Groove), and Charleston, South Carolina (former home of the Lowgators). On May 27, 2015, Charlotte television station WLTX reported that Greenville and Raleigh had bowed out of pursuing the NBA D-League while the cities of Columbia and Greensboro would submit proposals at a later time. On July 2, 2015, Columbia bowed out of pursuing an NBA D-League team which left Asheville, Charleston, Fayetteville, and Greensboro as potential cities to host the team.[41] On October 25, 2015, it was announced that the Hornets chose Greensboro for their D-League team beating out Fayetteville and Asheville. The team will make its debut in the 2016–17 season and play its home games at the Pavilion at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex which will be renovated into a basketball fieldhouse.[42] On December 29, 2015 the Charlotte Hornets announced the team name as the Greensboro Swarm.[43]

On June 3, 2015, Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King said the Nets were "on the verge of reaching an agreement to have a D-League team again in the next couple of years." The team hopes to play at least its first season in Brooklyn.[44] On September 14 Billy King mentioned to David Aldridge that the Brooklyn Nets hoped to field a team in time for the 2016–17 season in Brooklyn in response to the Pacers' purchase of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.[45] "The goal is to have one next year", King said. "Not having a team [last season], we didn't use Fort Wayne. We worked with Boston and Maine. The way it worked last year ... we timed it so when we had Markel [Brown], we worked it so we could send him to Maine."[46] The team announced on November 5 that they reached a final agreement for their new D-League team, to be called the Long Island Nets, to play in a renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which itself was the home of the Nets during their ABA years. The team will play in their parent team's home, Barclays Center, for their first season.

On October 30, 2015, it was reported by the Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune that the Chicago Bulls were pursuing an expansion franchise in nearby Hoffman Estates in time for the 2016–17 season.[47][48] The Bulls were previously affiliated with the Iowa Energy, who entered a hybrid ownership-single affiliation with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2014. The new team would compete in the Sears Centre.[49] On November 9, 2015, the Hoffman Estates board unanimously approved the Bulls' proposed NBA D-League team. Two days later, the Bulls officially announced the new franchise and a name-the-team contest with the stipulation that the proposed name must end with "Bulls",[50] becoming the Windy City Bulls.

On October 12, 2015, it was announced that Omaha, Nebraska, was pursuing a D-League franchise. Gary Green, the owner of the Omaha Storm Chasers, said the NBA approved the idea of a franchise while also mentioning the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets as possible affiliates. Green said, "We've had talks with the NBA and the guys in the D-League and they absolutely want to have a team in Omaha... We have a deal with the D-League in place, we just gotta find a franchise now.” The potential home for an Omaha team could be CenturyLink Center Omaha, Ralston Arena, or Baxter Arena.[51][52]

On January 6, 2016, the Orlando Magic announced that they had begun the process of bringing an NBA D-League team to Central Florida or Northern Florida and sent RFPs to eight possible homes and venues for the team: Daytona Beach (Ocean Center), Estero (Germain Arena), Fort Myers (Lee County Civic Center), Jacksonville (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena), Kissimmee (Silver Spurs Arena), Lakeland (Lakeland Center), and two venues in Orlando (HP Field House and CFE Arena). The team would begin to play in the 2017–18 season and would be directly owned and operated by the Magic and not be a relocation of their current hybrid affiliation with the Erie BayHawks.[53]

On January 6, 2016, Rochester, Minnesota, filed paperwork to host the D-League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The affiliate would play at the Mayo Civic Center.[54]

On April 12, 2016, the former owners of the Bakersfield Jam, after selling the club to the Phoenix Suns, announced that they have been working with the D-League to secure a new franchise and affiliation before the 2016–17 season.[55]

Defunct / relocated teams

Team City Active year(s) Former NBA affiliates Notes
Albuquerque / New Mexico Thunderbirds Albuquerque, New Mexico 2005–2011 Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Utah Jazz Became the Canton Charge
Anaheim Arsenal Anaheim, California 2006–2009 Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers Became the Springfield Armor
Arkansas RimRockers Little Rock, Arkansas 2004–2007 Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors Suspended by owners
Asheville Altitude Asheville, North Carolina 2001–2005 None Became the Tulsa 66ers
Bakersfield Jam Bakersfield, California 2006–2016 Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz Became the Northern Arizona Suns
(North) Charleston Lowgators Charleston, South Carolina 2001–2004 None Became the Florida Flame
Colorado 14ers Broomfield, Colorado 2006–2009 Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors Became the Texas Legends
Columbus Riverdragons Columbus, Georgia 2001–2005 None Became the Austin Toros
Dakota Wizards Bismarck, North Dakota 2006–2012 Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards Became the Santa Cruz Warriors
Fayetteville Patriots Fayetteville, North Carolina 2001–2006 Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks Folded by league
Florida Flame Fort Myers, Florida 2004–2006 Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic Folded by owners
Fort Worth Flyers Fort Worth, Texas 2005–2007 Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers Suspended by owners
Greenville Groove Greenville, South Carolina 2001–2003 None Folded by league
Huntsville Flight Huntsville, Alabama 2001–2005 None Became the Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Idaho Stampede Boise, Idaho 2006–2016 Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle SuperSonics, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz Became the Salt Lake City Stars
Mobile Revelers Mobile, Alabama 2001–2003 None Folded by league
Roanoke Dazzle Roanoke, Virginia 2001–2006 New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards Folded by league
Springfield Armor Springfield, Massachusetts 2009–2014 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers Became the Grand Rapids Drive
Tulsa 66ers Tulsa, Oklahoma 2005–2014 Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks Became the Oklahoma City Blue
Utah Flash Orem, Utah 2007–2011 Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz Became the Delaware 87ers

League development

Year # Teams Expansion teams Folded teams Annexed teams Returning teams Suspended teams Relocated / renamed teams
2001–02 8 Asheville Altitude
North Charleston Lowgators
Columbus Riverdragons
Fayetteville Patriots
Greenville Groove
Huntsville Flight
Mobile Revelers
Roanoke Dazzle
2002–03 8
2003–04 6 Greenville Groove
Mobile Revelers		 North Charleston Lowgators → Charleston Lowgators (name change only)
2004–05 6 Charleston Lowgators → Florida Flame
2005–06 8 Fort Worth Flyers Arkansas RimRockers Asheville Altitude → Tulsa 66ers
Columbus Riverdragons → Austin Toros
Huntsville Flight → Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2006–07 12 Anaheim Arsenal
Los Angeles D-Fenders		 Fayetteville Patriots
Roanoke Dazzle		 Bakersfield Jam
Colorado 14ers
Dakota Wizards
Idaho Stampede
Sioux Falls Skyforce		 Florida Flame
2007–08 14 Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Iowa Energy
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Utah Flash		 Florida Flame
Arkansas RimRockers
Fort Worth Flyers
2008–09 16 Erie BayHawks
Reno Bighorns
2009–10 16 Maine Red Claws Anaheim Arsenal → Springfield Armor
Colorado 14ers → Texas Legends (began playing in 2010–11)
2010–11 16 Los Angeles D-Fenders Albuquerque Thunderbirds → New Mexico Thunderbirds (arena move only)
2011–12 16 Los Angeles D-Fenders Utah Flash New Mexico Thunderbirds → Canton Charge
2012–13 16 Dakota Wizards → Santa Cruz Warriors
2013–14 17 Utah Flash → Delaware 87ers
2014–15 18 Westchester Knicks Springfield Armor → Grand Rapids Drive
Tulsa 66ers → Oklahoma City Blue
Austin Toros → Austin Spurs
2015–16 19 Raptors 905
2016–17 22 Greensboro Swarm
Long Island Nets
Windy City Bulls		 Bakersfield Jam → Northern Arizona Suns
Idaho Stampede → Salt Lake City Stars

Team timeline

Current teams in tan
Former teams or former names in blue
Announced future teams in green

Windy City Bulls Long Island Nets Greensboro Swarm Raptors 905 Westchester Knicks Maine Red Claws Reno Bighorns Erie BayHawks Delaware 87ers Utah Flash Rio Grande Valley Vipers Iowa Energy Fort Wayne Mad Ants Sioux Falls Skyforce Salt Lake City Stars Idaho Stampede Santa Cruz Warriors Dakota Wizards Texas Legends Colorado 14ers Northern Arizona Suns Bakersfield Jam Los Angeles D-Fenders Grand Rapids Drive Springfield Armor Anaheim Arsenal Arkansas RimRockers Fort Worth Flyers Roanoke Dazzle Mobile Revelers Canton Charge New Mexico Thunderbirds Huntsville Flight Greenville Groove Fayetteville Patriots Austin Spurs Austin Toros Columbus Riverdragons Florida Flame North Charleston Lowgators Oklahoma City Blue Tulsa 66ers Asheville Altitude

Honors

List of Champions

YearChampion
2002 Greenville Groove
2003 Mobile Revelers
2004 Asheville Altitude
2005 Asheville Altitude
2006 Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2007 Dakota Wizards
2008 Idaho Stampede
2009 Colorado 14ers
2010 Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2011 Iowa Energy
2012 Austin Toros
2013 Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2014 Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2015 Santa Cruz Warriors
2016 Sioux Falls Skyforce

Awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NBDL ADOPTS NEW NAME, LOGO, AND BALL". NBA.com. July 19, 2005. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Four teams to leave". Continental Basketball Association. April 6, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  3. ↑ "NBA Development League Expands To Four Cities". NBA.com. April 6, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  4. ↑ "NBA Development League Expands To Anaheim". NBA.com. April 11, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  5. ↑ Sheridan, Chris (April 19, 2006). "NBA approves Lakers' ownership of D-League team". ESPN. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  6. ↑ "D-League Will No Longer Operate Roanoke Dazzle". NBA.com. May 1, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  7. ↑ "D-League Will No Longer Operate In Fayetteville". NBA.com. May 2, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  8. ↑ "12 teams to comprise NBA Development League in 2007–08". oursportscentral.com. May 8, 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2006.
  9. ↑ "NBA D-League Expands to 18 as Knicks Purchase Team". NBA.com. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  10. ↑ http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/liewike-raptors-d-league-team-coming-this-year/
  11. 1 2 http://raptors905.dleague.nba.com/news/mlse-purchases-nba-d-league-team-as-league-expands-to-19-teams-for-2015-16-season/
  12. ↑ Brennan, Matthew (February 21, 2007). "Mensah-Bonsu, East Team Come Out On Top". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  13. ↑ Wurst, Matt (February 16, 2008). "Stars Work, Play Hard in D-League All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Sims And Ahearn Named Co-MVPs As Red Defeats Blue In All-Star Game". NBA.com/DLeague. February 14, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  15. ↑ "James White Soars To NBA D-League Slam Dunk Championship". NBA.com/DLeague. February 13, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Brian Butch Captures MVP Honors In 2010 All-Star Game". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 13, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Haier Shooting Stars Set Record At Dream Factory Friday Night". NBA.com/DLeague. February 12, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  18. ↑ "CBA Principal Deal Points". NBA. August 4, 2005. Retrieved January 19, 2011. The player will continue to be paid his NBA salary and will continue to be included on his NBA team’s roster (on the inactive list) while playing in the NBADL.
  19. ↑ "D-League lowers the age requirement to 18". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved March 29, 2008.
  20. ↑ "NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement Seen Giving Boost To NBA Development League". NBA.com (Turner Sports Interactive, Inc). December 8, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2011.
  21. ↑ "NBA Development League: All-Time Gatorade Call-Ups". NBA.com. April 14, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  22. ↑ "63 Former NBA D-League Players On 2009 Opening Night Rosters". NBA.com. October 27, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  23. ↑ "NBA Development League: Former NBA D-Leaguers In The 2009 NBA Finals". NBA.com. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Simmons Named Most Improved". NBA.com. April 28, 2005. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Rockets' Brooks named NBA's most improved player". NBA.com. April 23, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Idaho’s Mike Taylor Becomes First D-League Player Drafted By An NBA Team". NBA.com. June 26, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Latavious Williams Becomes Second Player Drafted By NBA Team". NBA.com. July 25, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Lakers Trade Draft Rights To Chukwudiebere Maduabum". NBA.com. June 23, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Glen Rice Jr. Becomes Fourth NBA D-Leaguer Selected in NBA Draft". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  30. ↑ http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2014/4/15/5617920/orlando-magic-news-nba-dleague-erie-bayhawks-partnership-affiliate
  31. ↑ http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/memphis_grizzlies_iowa_energy_enter_single_affiliation_2014_05_06.html
  32. ↑ "Phoenix Suns Buy Bakersfield Jam; Relocate Team to Prescott Valley, Arizona". OurSports Central. April 12, 2016.
  33. ↑ http://www.nba.com/dleague/idaho/stampedejazz_affiliation_2014_06_10.html
  34. ↑ "Phoenix Suns Buy Bakersfield Jam; Relocate Team to Prescott Valley, Arizona". OurSports Central. April 12, 2016.
  35. ↑ "NBA Development League Expands to Record 20 Teams as Hornets Sports & Entertainmnet Purchases Team". Charlotte Hornets. October 27, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Hornets Sports & Entertainment Announces Intent To Launch Owned-and-Operated NBA D-League Team". Charlotte Hornets. May 4, 2015.
  37. ↑ Would minor-league pro basketball fly in Asheville?, Keith Jarrett, Asheville Citizen-Times, May 9, 2015
  38. ↑ Sports fans excited about potential D-League basketball team in Greensboro, FOX 8 TV website, May 4, 2015
  39. ↑ Bid proposes Greensboro be home of Charlotte Hornets D-League team, Jeff Mills, News & Record, May 8, 2015
  40. ↑
  41. ↑ Two Cities Out of Running for Hornets D-League Team, Steven Dial, WLTX-TV website, May 27, 2015
  42. ↑ Mills, Jeff (October 25, 2015). "Charlotte Hornets chose Greensboro for new D-League team". Greensboro News-Record.
  43. ↑ http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-d-league-team-be-known-greensboro-swarm
  44. ↑ http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/13004785/gm-billy-king-says-brooklyn-nets-not-planning-buy-deron-williams-contract
  45. ↑ http://snynets.com/nets/nets-d-league-team-coming-to-long-island-thats-the-plan/
  46. ↑ http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/david_aldridge/09/14/morning-tip-future-of-minnesota-timberwolves-in-flip-saunders-absence-making-nba-draft-longer-qa-spencer-haywood/index.html
  47. ↑ Chicago Bulls development team may play at Sears Centre next year
  48. ↑ Bulls seek local NBA Development League franchise in Hoffman Estates
  49. ↑ Chicago Bulls say they'd promote Sears Centre big time with D-team
  50. ↑ "CHICAGO BULLS PURCHASE NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TEAM". Chicago Bulls. November 11, 2015.
  51. ↑ Report: MiLB team owner says ‘deal in place’ for D-League expansion in Omaha
  52. ↑ TBL: Storm Chasers owner Gary Green discusses the Mets playoff chances and NBDL news for Omaha
  53. ↑ "Orlando Magic officially looking to bring D-League team to Florida". Orlando Magic Daily. January 7, 2016.
  54. ↑ Will Timberwolves come here for D-League?
  55. ↑ "Phoenix Suns Purchase Bakersfield Jam". OurSports Central. April 12, 2016.

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