By Kevin L. Davis (@EsquireSports)
The 10 year old NBA D-League model was one of the best ideas of David Stern’s reign as commissioner, but I think even he would agree that the system could use some improvement. With the CBA set to expire this summer, what better time is there to explore totally revamping the system?
First off let’s explore the existing system. Players are signed by the league itself and then distributed to the individual teams, there are only 16 NBA D-League teams whereas there are 30 NBA teams (which means most D-League teams are affiliated with 2 rival NBA teams), and the rules currently limit NBA to assigning 2 players to the D-League and those players may only be rookies or 2nd year guys. There are not optimal conditions to most effectively develop NBA talent.
With collective bargaining sessions beginning between the owners and players I have included a few suggestions that could improve the quality of the D-League system. While they may seem radical at first, if instituted they could substantially boost league’s effectiveness in developing future NBA talent. While the owners would have to be convinced that scrapping a system of sharing D-League affiliates since it cuts down on expenses, the increase in availability of inexpensive talent should be worth it. I also belief if properly marketed the league could offset much of the increase in expenses. I truly belief there is a sustainable market of die-hard NBA fans who would watch these games if properly marketed. Since these teams are stationed in smaller markets I would strive to create a fan-centric family experience that can be fun for the whole family and start these games earlier in the day at 5 or 6 PM as opposed to 7 or 8 or later like NBA games.
The players would also have to be convinced to approve this system as many view being demoted to the D-League as an insult and would hate that my proposal eliminates the current system which only allows 1st and 2nd year players to be forced down. However that has to be at least partly offset by the fact that this proposal would create 14 new D-League teams and therefore 168 new jobs (and if I’m correct in forecasting the market that this D-League could have those slots could pay substantially more than the D-League currently pays). Not to mention these new teams would offer an increased potential for coaching jobs or other slots in developmental positions for players in their post-playing days.
With the arguments to lobby both the owners and the NBA Players Association out of the way, let’s explore the actual proposal. First off, as stated earlier every team should be mandated to have there own D-League affiliate. Instead of signing with the league itself, each team should be responsible for hiring its own squad on its D-League team, expanding each NBA team's roster from 15 to 27 (15 NBA contracts and 12 D-League spots). Players would still be available by the draft or to be signed from leagues throughout the world, but I’d totally revamp the drafting process to accommodate the growth. I propose eliminating the D-League draft and expanding the NBA draft to at least 5 rounds.
As earlier stated I also believe the limitation of only allowing demotion of players with less than 2 years of NBA experience should be scrapped. The only question is where should the magical boundary line be placed? I think everyone will agree that when players are eligible to be drafted at 19 years old, it is very foreseeable that some guys may need long-term development. Since the current system calls for 2 years after a player joins the league, and a player who exhausts his entire college eligibility would normally be 22 years old I propose a rule where any player under 24 years old (2 years over 22) could be able to sent down to the D-League without gaining his consent. Veterans (24 years old or older) signed to NBA contracts could only be demoted to the D-League if the team has gained his consent. This allows true long-term development, while having the added benefit of allowing NBA teams to use their D-League team for rehabilitation.
These changes would usher in an era of true development for NBA teams.
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