Starting in the 2017-18 season, the Memphis Grizzlies will operate their own D-League team in Southaven, Mississippi, expanding the NBA's Developmental League to 23 teams, 19 of which will be owned by a single NBA team. The news was revealed shortly after it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves officially purchased the Iowa Energy, the same team that the Grizzlies have been affiliated with during the past few seasons.
The NBA continues to progress towards its goal of having 30 D-League teams with each NBA franchise having its own D-League affiliate. Should the NBA expand to 32 teams like many expect, that will mean the D-League will likewise expand to 32 teams. The reason the NBA wants each NBA franchise to have its own D-League team is so that the NBA can do a better job of developing its players and give guys more chances to develop and grow. There are many players in NBA history who would have tremendously benefited from the D-League and so it is great to know that there will be many careers improved and possibly saved thanks to the D-League.
In addition to improving careers and the quality of play, I think another reason for this expansion has to do with giving more communities a taste of NBA basketball. Mississippi for example will never have an NBA franchise, but thanks to the D-League, they will be able to enjoy watching professional basketball up close. By having 30 D-League franchises, the NBA will have in effect doubled the number of communities it is directly involved with, which helps grow the popularity of the league across the country.
It will be interesting to see how much longer it takes before each NBA team has its own D-League team. I think in 10 years, we will see 30 D-League teams affiliated with 30 NBA teams. If anything, we very well may see 32 D-League teams affiliated with 32 NBA teams. The NBA is certainly growing and continuing to establish itself as the preeminent professional sports league in world. Not only are they doing a great job of growing their brand, but they are also doing a great job at improving the quality of their brand. By investing in a developmental league, the NBA in turn is investing in the overall quality of play at the NBA level, something that benefits all involved whether it be the owners, players, or fans.
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