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The G League is headed to the Walt Disney World complex for its 18-team, bubble-style tournament next month. The New York Times NBA writer Marc Stein delivered the details on the G League’s plan on Friday.
The NBA has today notified its teams that an 18-team @nbagleague bubble -- including the Ignite select team featuring NBA Draft prospects -- will take place at Walt Disney World near Orlando starting in February
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 8, 2021
Last year, the NBA completed its late-season and postseason schedules at the same property.
On the court, the G League is set to feature a few more familiar faces than usual. In December, the league decided to relax the rules for NBA veterans—incentivizing teams to roll the dice on experienced players. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony detailed the G League’s new set up last month.
The NBA is eliminating restrictions on recruiting and acquiring veteran free agents for G League rosters, according to a memo to teams obtained by ESPN.
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his new rule will allow teams to designate one “NBA Vet selection” for assignment to one of their 10 roster spots, allowing NBA teams to directly recruit players they have interest in to the G League teams rather than waiting for them to enter the pool.
Players and agents will now have significantly more control over their destinations, which should make the G League more attractive, especially with the shortened schedule caused by the pandemic.
In the aftermath of that decision, several veteran players have entered the pool for next week’s G League draft. On Wednesday, Givony highlighted a handful of noteworthy faces set to join the G League.
With their Orlando Bubble just a few weeks away, the G League will hold a draft Monday, source says. Some of the more recognizable names: Lance Stephenson, Dzanan Musa, Justin Patton, Kenny Wooten, Emeka Okafor, Terrence Jones, Shabazz Muhammed, Admiral Schofield Antonio Blakeney https://t.co/mKcOR9Ru05
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 6, 2021
The Trail Blazers and Nuggets are the only two teams in the NBA that do not have a G League affiliate.