Milwaukee Bucks In Need Of D-League Team

It’s understandable that this hasn’t been something near the top of the Milwaukee Bucks’ agenda of late, as the franchise has certainly had other things on their mind. How could they think about the D-League when the future of the team in Milwaukee was in jeopardy?

It’s simple, they couldn’t. Rightfully so, top priority has been winning the long and arduous battle filled with red tape to secure a new arena, and to allow fans and the organization alike to look forward to many more years in Milwaukee.

Once ground has been broken on the new arena though, it will become time to consider other ways in which the franchise can continue to grow and get better, both on and off the floor. One of the first things I’d be recommending the team to look at addressing would be their lack of a D-League affiliate though.

The NBA’s Development League has been undergoing a gradual transformation over the past couple of years, and has started to resemble more and more of a true minor league system with every passing year.

While the D-League was once a place where two to three NBA teams were assigned to a franchise, and provided with the option to send their players down there for extended playing time, that culture is changing.

Last season, only one D-League team didn’t resemble a single affiliate model like you’d see in the MLB for example, as the Fort Wayne Mad Ants were the affiliate for 13 of the NBA’s teams.

With the Toronto Raptors recently announcing plans for their own partner franchise, that number looked set to fall to twelve, but then the really big news broke.

According to D-League Digest, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly in negotiations to purchase the Mad Ants to be their single affiliate:

"According to one source, the deal was expected to be announced last week but details are still being finalized between both parties and the D-League. An additional source also mentioned the ultimate goal for the Pacers is to purchase the Mad Ants and set up operations by the 2016-17 season if it is not possible this upcoming season."

So, one way or another, whether it be this season or the next, that leaves eleven NBA teams without a D-League partner, with one of those being the Bucks.

Why does it matter?

Used in the right way, the D-League can be the perfect breeding ground for young players, particularly where single affiliation is concerned.

Let’s say the Bucks had their own partner team for example, it would give them the opportunity to employ a coach with the same principles as their NBA version’s head coach, allowing young talent the chance to learn the replicated system away from the spotlight, before slotting in more seamlessly in the NBA.

Think of it, there’s no doubting that guys like Tyler Ennis and Johnny O’Bryant could benefit from an experience like that, and even better again, an experience like that would seem ideal to help get the best out of a young international prospect, returning from injury, like Damien Inglis.

You know what, it’s the sort of system that could even have benefitted Jabari Parker over the next few months, or any other player returning from serious injury. The D-League could be a place that affords teams the chance to allow their players to feel their way back to full health at a comfortable pace.

That’s not to mention the options it would give in terms of spotting talent that may have slipped through the NBA net come draft time or beyond. Think of guys like Robert Covington and Hassan Whiteside in the league right now.

The Bucks showed themselves to be fans of the D-League last season too, picking up Jorge Gutierrez and Chris Johnson at different points in the year.

Gutierrez is the prime example of how it could work too. With the Mexican on a non-guaranteed contract, it seems likely he’ll be cut before the roster is finalized, along with any other training camp invitees, a D-League affiliate would provide them a place to go though, and somewhere the franchise could keep a close eye on them.

If the Bucks were to buy a franchise, where would they play and how would that work logistically? Of course, all of that remains up in the air, but it would represent an opportunity for the Bucks to give back to somewhere else in the state of Wisconsin and continue to spread the positivity surrounding the Bucks.

Places like Madison, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Appleton, Eau Claire, Kenosha, Racine and Sheboygan (judging by this link which regularly seems to find its way into our comment section) could all be contenders, but whether there is an already suitable arena in place or whether we have to gear up for “Bucks Arena: The Sequel” will obviously play into any decision too.

Either way, for developmental reasons on the court and commercial ones off of it, the time is fast approaching for the Bucks to start thinking about building a D-League team.

Next: How The Bucks Compare: An Early Eastern Conference Primer

More from Behind the Buck Pass