BREAKING: Dallas Mavericks Buying Colorado 14ers, Bakersfield is Back

by Scott Schroeder on Jun 18, 2025 1:30 PM EDT

UPDATE: According to the press release, Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks GM, will be the principle owner and operator of the team, but it also says "when the team begins play in 2010, it will be directly affiliated with up
to three NBA teams." So the GM of the Mavericks will own this team, but they will be affiliated with other teams as well. Should be fun to see how this all shakes out!

First, the biggest of the news: According to the Denver Post, the Colorado 14ers have been bought by the Dallas Mavericks and will move to the "Dallas area" (Frisco) for the 2010 season - just as I "predicted" yesterday in my fan shot.

Save for last season, Dallas has been one of the best users of the D-League's development possibilities, assigning Jose Juan Barea, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Josh Powell, Nick Fazekas, Maurice Ager, Rawle Marshall and even the immortal Pavel Podkolzin to their D-League affiliate for some seasoning over the past few seasons. Some of these players have developed well in the D-League, some not so much, but it definitely makes sense that Dallas would buy a D-League team - now if they retained the rights to this seasons D-League champion 14ers coaches and players, that'd be an even better coup.

Next, the big news on any other news day: The Bakersfield Jam, which seemingly went down in a ball of flames after last season, will be back, according to The Bakersfield Caifornian. No word yet if the big news is that Bill Simmons has bought the team, nor what the status of Swish and the Jam Dancers is - Justen Case, come back and give us the scoop.

The D-League: Where Big Things Happen After I Get A Job So I Can't Break The Big Stuff Happens.

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Wow this is epic.

Bought time Texas got another team. That’s a big state.

by Aisander D on Jun 18, 2025 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

This is outstanding news...

I just came here looking for some news and this is what I get. Very happy to see the league hit 17 teams. Hopefully, the next time the NBA puts a team in Colorado, it will be in Loveland.

Four Divisions:

East: Springfield, Maine, Erie, Fort Wayne
Central: Iowa, Sioux Falls, Dakota, Tulsa
Southwest: Rio Grande Valley, Frisco, Austin, Albuquerque
West: Utah, Idaho, Bakersfield, Reno, Los Angeles

Not bad.

by hkf on Jun 18, 2025 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

New divisions

they should name it texas not southwest…

by Fanaticflashfan.blogspot on Jun 18, 2025 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

As also a Mavs fan: Nice

by Norsktroll on Jun 18, 2025 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

This is only a smart decision

More teams should spend a couple bucks on their own team, it benefits in so many ways. Even just keeping 2nd round picks away from Europe if they don’t have a spot on the current roster makes sense so that they’re playing in the same system the big team is employing and can be called up quickly in case of injury. Logic.

President and Personal Escort of the Gerry McNamara Fan Club

by Michael Levin on Jun 18, 2025 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Makes sense

though I think it would make more sense if the team was only going to be affiliated with the Mavericks. I wonder if they saw the rewards that San Antonio was getting (a bitter rival) and didn’t want to fall behind. They’ve had a decent scouting operation for awhile, though (led by Donnie Nelson), so this could also just be an outgrowth of that.

Also, hi.

Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, now with more draft coverage.

by Jon L on Jun 18, 2025 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Welcome Back!

And yeah, I am confused now that this isn’t Mavs exclusive. Unless it just isn’t Mavs exclusive… yet.

Blogging at RidiculousUpside, where we converse with recently fired mascots.

by Scott Schroeder on Jun 18, 2025 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

It might a share the cost move

Until more D-League teams come available.

by hkf on Jun 18, 2025 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Hybrid Affiliation meets Hybrid Affiliation?

So this is now Hybrid Hybrid Affiliation or H^2A?

by Aisander D on Jun 18, 2025 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome back Jon....

we missed you.

by Aisander D on Jun 18, 2025 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting model. So far the Mavs shared with the Heat (of all teams), and Colorado was with the Nets and Nuggets

by Norsktroll on Jun 18, 2025 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

Jam

I’ve heard numerous rumors about the jam for about a month now. And I hope you can understand that since the jam was such a big part of my life for 3 seasons I will respect there wishes and not comment on what I know. Until after the press conference tomorrow at 11am pacific. Sorry guys I can tell you probably know more than you think you do :) big ups to the ridiculous upside crew

A.K.A. "The Inside Scoop"

by justen2273 on Jun 18, 2025 9:04 PM EDT reply actions