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The New Orleans Pelicans are launching an NBA G-League affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. The news, reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, removes one of the three remaining holdouts without affiliation.
New Orleans is launching a G League affiliate in Birmingham, Ala., league sources tell ESPN. Team will start play in Erie, Pa. next season until renovations are complete on arena in Birmingham.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2018
The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers still lack G-League representation. But according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, the Nuggets may not be far behind New Orleans.
Hearing that the Nuggets are next in line for a G League team, likely with a team returning to the NW suburbs of Denver where the Colorado 14ers used to be based. That will make for 29 G League teams in the 2019-20 season, with the lone holdouts being Portland. https://t.co/92LcTP0wKC
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) October 23, 2018
Wade Baldwin, currently on Portland’s roster, spent much of his early career with the Iowa Energy of the G-League before receiving a two-way contract from the Blazers last season. 2017 draftee Caleb Swanigan also spent time with the Canton Charge last season.