:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60248723/Anfernee_Simons___IMG_Academy___No._2_preview.0.jpeg)
The Portland Trail Blazers time as a team without an NBA G-League affiliate may be coming to an end.
The Blazers are strongly considering a G-League squad in Vancouver, British Columbia according to Adam Forsythe of NEWS 1130 in Vancouver.
Hearing there is a VERY strong chance the Portland Trail Blazers are bringing a G-League team to Vancouver. They would play out of the Langley Events Centre. #RipCity #NBA
— Adam Forsythe (@adamforsythe) July 2, 2018
The Blazers are one of just three NBA teams to not have a direct G-League affiliate, along with the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The G-League, previously the National Basketball Developmental League and the D-League, was founded in 2001, and currently hosts 26 teams, along with an expansion team this season in the Capital City Go-Go for the Washington Wizards. The purpose of the league is to develop young players that may not be ready for action in NBA games.
The new team would likely share a division with Agua Caliente Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers), the Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors), the South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers), and the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings). The Pacific division already has five teams, where most division only have four, so the Northern Arizona Suns (Phoenix Suns) would likely relocate to the Southwest Division.
The Trail Blazers formally had joint affiliations in the G-League with the now-defunct Anaheim Arsenal (2006-2009), and Fort Worth Flyers (2005-2007).
Could Anfernee Simons be starting his season in British Columbia?