Report: Blazers Expected to Add G League Affiliate in 2019, Eyeing Nike HQ for Arena

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of a handful of teams without a dedicated G League affiliate, but that may be changing some time in 2019. Adam Johnson, the editor of 2Ways10Days, says the Blazers are eyeing Nike’s Headquarters in Beaverton as the long-term home of their developmental team.

According to multiple league sources, the Trail Blazers have their eyes on setting up G League shop at the Nike World Headquarters just outside Portland in Beaverton, OR.

Johnson, who is also a sideline reporter for the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, confirmed directly to Blazer’s Edge that the relationship would be a 1-to-1 affiliation, which means the Blazers would have full control of the G League team.

This report follows a Reddit AMA hosted by G League President Malcolm Turner, who said the league will soon grow to 30 teams, one for each NBA team:

We are at a record 26 teams this season, Washington is already confirmed to join for the 18-19 season and we are in active conversations with the remaining NBA teams, New Orleans, Portland, and Denver. All of whom we expect to join in the next 12-18 months.

President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey has noted previous desire for a G League team to be located near Portland so players would still be close to the team. The Blazers ended their previous single-affiliate relationship with the Idaho Stampede of the D League in February of 2014 with no real replacement. Olshey reportedly felt the team could develop their players better on site than with a development team.

As a result, Blazers players have spent time with teams across the country. Jake Layman played with the Chicago-based Windy City Bulls in 2017. This year rookie Caleb Swanigan spent time with the Ohio-based Canton Charge and Wade Baldwin IV, before making an impact on the team, spent time with the Texas Legends.