A true minor league system, something similar to what has allowed Major League Baseball to thrive, has seemed a natural for the NBA for years.Perhaps the league with the most underdeveloped young talent is on the brink of landmark movement.
The Houston Rockets announced Monday they are entering into a single-affiliation partnership with their NBA D-League squad, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, making them the first such NBA team to do so. Under this agreement, the Rockets will take over the Vipers basketball operations, while Alonzo Cantu and his local ownership group in Rio Grande Valley will continue to oversee the business operation. Rockets GM Daryl Morey will oversee the Vipers basketball operations starting this upcoming season.
Sounds like a sensible deal and one that is similar to deals in baseball.
"Mr. Cantu has done a great job integrating the Vipers into the community and we look forward to working with him to build upon the success he has already achieved," said Morey. "This unique partnership with the Vipers affords us the opportunity to take an increased role in the development of our young players while also introducing an exciting and competitive brand of NBA-style basketball to fans in the Rio Grande Valley. We look forward to the mutual benefits the partnership will provide both organizations."
Under this type of partnership, NBA teams will get to guide the development of their players and have say-so in the comings and goings of talent. This might also make the NBADL a more viable option for high school players who have no desire to play college ball for a season or go overseas for a year, which is threatening to become a trend.
Currently, only the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City and San Antonio owned their D-League affiliates. That will likely soon change.
"This is a watershed moment for the Vipers and for professional sports in the Rio Grande Valley," said Vipers President/GM Brian Michael Cooper. "The Vipers' partnership with the Rockets further demonstrates our commitment to Vipers fans to place the highest quality product on the court, and we look forward to the Rockets' guidance and leadership in basketball operations. Vipers fans should be very excited about the future and direction of their franchise."
