It’s been hard to miss that Portland’s newest acquisition: a minor league basketball team.
But what exactly is the NBA Developmental League?
The D-League, as it is affectionately called, was founded in 2001 as the NBA’s official minor league system. It was conceptualized in much the same way as other minor leagues like those in baseball and hockey, where players who aren’t ready for the highest level of competition are able to play and hone their skills.
But unlike other minor league systems, the D-League’s 16 teams (17 counting Portland’s franchise) have more than one affiliate. So, whereas the Sea Dogs are directly affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, the Maine D-League team will likely be affiliated with more than one NBA squad.
It has been speculated that the Portland-based team will, at minimum, be affiliated with the Boston Celtics, however no formal announcement has been made. Although, given the Celtics strong interest in the city’s acquisition – as evidenced in a recent video promoted by the League – there is a strong possibility that Portlanders will get their wish: another minor league squad affiliated with the a Boston-based team.
And who can you expect to see playing at the Expo next season?
Currently, D-League teams comprise many different brands of players. Players in the league don’t sign contracts with individual teams, but the league itself. Teams are usually made of 10 or fewer D-League players and two or more players who are being “swung down” by NBA teams.
Teams acquire their players through a D-League draft, NBA player assignments, local tryouts and returning players.
This season 60 former D-League players were on opening-day NBA rosters.
Rafer Alston (AKA Skip To My Lou), Matt Carroll, current Celtic Mikki Moore and 2009 NBA Three Point Champion Daequan Cook are some of the D-League’s greatest success stories.
If the team is affiliated with the Celtics its not out of the question that Mainers could see recent Boston acquisitions Bill “Sky” Walker and J.R. Giddens – both of whom are well known for their incredible athletic abilities and their abilities above the rim.
It’s also possible that Mainers could get the chance to watch current NBA stars play in rehab games, similar to when the Red Sox assigned David Ortiz to Portland in the past.
Nik Caner-Medley, former Deering High School star and Maryland Terrapin, spent a short time in the D-League with the Sioux Falls Sky Force before opting to play overseas.