Talent In The NBA D-League: Will It Still Be There Next Season?

by Scott Schroeder on Sep 7, 2025 9:00 AM EDT in NBA D-League Player News Comment 4 comments

Jeff Potter, Team President of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, recently reprised his role as master promoter Jackie Moon while defending the talent in the D-League.

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In short, my answer to the above question is yes - the talent in the NBA Development League has increased significantly since the insurgence of the CBA teams prior to the 2006-2007 season and I have enough faith in the system to believe that there won't be a drop in talent for the foreseeable future as well.

I just don't think this season's crop will be as talented as it was over the past two seasons.

If you don't follow me on Twitter or read the blog of the best D-League Team President/Blogger this side of the Missouri, the above paragraph probably comes out of nowhere - especially since I haven't blogged since August - so let me catch you up.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants' Team President Jeff Potter - long loved around these parts - responded to one of my throw-away tweets about D-League shot-blocking champion Kurt Looby signing in Greece with an in-depth piece on why the D-League will "have a very good talent pool and will always have a good talent pool."

Potter's points revolved around three main player types:

Bit players from last season stepping up to fill the holes their more talented teammates have left
New players - a la last season's Reggie Williams - entering the D-League and taking over immediately
Players cut from European teams and NBA training camps entering the D-League

The problem I see with Potter's suggestions, however, is that those same factors have always been a factor and none brings up the fact that a majority of last season's talent will be getting their money across the pond.

As Jon L noted in November of last season, there was quite a bit of turnover at the top of the D-League last season as well - but it feels as though the talent exodus this season seems to be more than just the top 15 players but the majority of players that have shown to have NBA hopes (believe me, there were definitely more than 15 players in the D-League last season that could have made an NBA roster in the right situation).

Unfortunately, I don't have all of the answers - yet.

For the rest of the week, I'll attempt to prove myself not wrong. Let's see how it goes.

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Comments

This will be an interesting season for the D-League. With the increased number of call ups and teams using the league, more player might see this as a viable option to Europe/international leagues. This could definitely bring in some talented players and continue to raise the profile of the league.

The Mikan Drill

by JoshuaR on Sep 7, 2025 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

But will that not always be the case with the D League?...

some guys will get frustrated with their chances and head to Europe, while some will get a much deserved call up to the NBA and stick. But then you will always have new college grads that went overlooked who would rather take their chances here instead of Europe. There will be a few guys who’ve been on the end of an NBA bench not get a chance (Mario West seems like he won’t be back with the Hawks, and was very good in his D League time, among others). And then there will also be a handful of guys who don’t want to stay in Europe that come back home to see if they can catch on from the D League (Sundiata Gaines, Reggie Williams, Anthony Tolliver, etc).

Personally, I think that will just be the natural pattern for the D League, where they always have a deep and solid talent pool to pick from, but it will constantly be in flux as guys go to/return from Europe, come in from college, and go to/come from the end of NBA benches.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 7, 2025 9:35 AM EDT reply actions