The Idaho Stampede are the latest NBA Development League team to join forces with a single NBA team, a move that the minor-league franchise hopes propels it back to the top of the standings.
Six of the eight teams in last year’s D-League playoffs had a single affiliation with an NBA team, including the top five seeds and the two finalists — top-seeded Los Angeles (owned by the Lakers) and title-winning Austin (owned by the Spurs).
“This is the model that is coming to professional basketball,” said Bill Ilett, the managing investor of the Boise franchise. His group will continue to run the business side of the organization. “... You’re going to see a younger, faster, smoother game.”
Idaho is the 10th member of the 16-team D-League to have a single affiliate and the fourth with the split basketball/business arrangement.
The Stampede were affiliated with Portland, Denver and Utah last season, a less-than-ideal situation for all parties. NBA teams want their players developed in a specific manner, and the Stampede had little control over their roster.
Portland will hire the Stampede coach, who will oversee the Trail Blazers’ summer league team and work their training camp. Portland is without a general manager and a head coach. The NBA team will conduct a national search for the next Stampede coach, and current Idaho coach Randy Livingston is expected to interview for the job. He was not at Tuesday’s press conference in Downtown Boise
The Blazers will pay most of the costs associated with the basketball side of the business.
