With the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers the only NBA franchises without a team affiliation, new G League president Sherif Abdur-Rahim says it won’t be that way for much longer, as both clubs shared their plans to acquire an official minor league roster.
At a recent conference, the former basketball player confirmed that by the 2024/25 campaign, all NBA teams will own their roster of G-League affiliates.
the @tweet And the NBA G League announced today that Portland has secured the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will be launched on the University of Portland campus and expected to begin in the 2023-24 season.
Learn more: https://t.co/6N2gcnivz1 pic.twitter.com/bQxKCGYbux
– NBA G League (nbagleague) April 26, 2023
“I think there’s a drive (with the Suns’ new ownership) to have a G League team. … By 2024-25, I feel good that we have to be in a place where we have all the NBA teams represented in a G League,” he said. “In the near future, both teams will have G League teams. I feel very confident about that.”
The Blazers are already so close to opening their new team that they announced Wednesday that they’ve secured the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will play at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center, upstate.
“I am excited to welcome Judy Allen and the Royal Trail Blazers to the NBA G League family,” said Sherif Abdel-Rahim, NBA President. “The NBA G League continues to grow to meet the developmental demands of NBA teams, and today’s announcement is further evidence of the value the league provides to the NBA every day. I can’t wait to watch the team perform at Chelsea Center next season.”
If all goes according to plan, they should make their debut in the upcoming 2023-24 season. With this announcement, it means the NBA G League is officially expanding to a record 31 teams for this next campaign.
The last time the Trail Blazers owned a G League affiliate was back in 2014
The Idaho Stampede was the last team Portland would share a G League affiliation with, when the club created that partnership that lasted two seasons from 2012 to 2014. Their negotiation was a “hybrid” union that gave the Oregon club control of basketball operations, as the Stampede had a group Detached property taking care of the business.
“It was very important for our organization to get into the G League with an affiliate here in Portland and strategically enhance our dedication to player development,” said Portland Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin. “I especially want to thank Jodi Allen, who aligns with Dewayne Hankins and myself, for making it a priority to have this team ready for next season as it will not only be a development tool for the players but also for the aspiring coaches and staff as we continue to be a mainstay in the community at large. .”
The involvement of the front office and coaching staff was also announced at a later date, as well as the team’s name and brand identity.
“Joining the G League with a team of our own will increase development in many areas,” said Dewayne Hankins, president of business operations for the Portland Trail Blazers. “This team will not only be a source of strength for the development of young talent on the field, but also for the development of talent off the field.
“We will pursue an innovative approach that will improve all aspects of our business across both teams. With the launch of the team at the University of Portland, we are excited to continue to connect with the North Portland community.”