What is the D-League's biggest problem?
by JoshuaR on Sep 9, 2025 3:47 PM EDT
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The D-League is something I am becoming more interested and am working to understand the nuances of the league. Scott's tweet this afternoon (seen here) got me thinking about the struggles facing the D-League.
Is the NBA's lack of trust in the players currently in the D-League the biggest problem facing the league today? 27 players were called up to the league last season from the D-League but we continue to see players like Elson get signed instead of these younger players getting a chance. Instead of giving young, unproven players a chance to shine, they continue to sign (for the most part) older, veteran players who have played in the NBA before but don't really bring potential to the table.
I realize that the NBA is using the players in the D-League more the past few years. However, is the lack of full trust the biggest problem facing the league? If not, what is? Where does the trust issue rank?
Thanks for any insight.
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In all honesty, I don’t know what the biggest problem is for the D-League - it has continued to improve, immensely, ever since the 2006-2007 season (when they absorbed the top CBA teams).
Would it be nice if they were to all take a gamble on the young, ridiculously upsided players? Of course.
Might it be better if they learn from their mistakes when they get nothing out of Elson next year and instead could have had a young big man developing on their bench for the future? Possibly.
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on Sep 9, 2025 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, it has definitely been improving (as evidenced by the call ups last season). It will be interesting to see how the league continues to develop as more front offices begin to trust the development of the league and the potential of the players.
by JoshuaR on Sep 10, 2025 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Not enough pay?
To convince talent to stay, more pay is needed. This depends on support from a community or a NBA club owner financing.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
by tomkanti on Sep 10, 2025 1:33 AM EDT reply actions
That may be biggest overall problem
But not in regard to why Francisco Elson is getting an NBA training camp invite instead of a younger, hungrier D-League player.
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on Sep 10, 2025 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Teams would rather have a porven vet with little upside
than an unproven rookie. At least playoff teams, with the exception of Houston. They think the proven vet can provide something than a D-Leaguer, which is a problem. Many D-Leaguers can play in the NBA, but they need a shot.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.
by tomkanti on Sep 10, 2025 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
My question is, why is this? Why would they rather have Elson (who they know what his ceiling is and it’s not as tall as he is) rather than a young player from the D-League who has a much higher ceiling?
by JoshuaR on Sep 10, 2025 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Paradigm shifts don't happen overnight
It may take another 4 or 5 years to get GMs and casual NBA fans to realize the NBADL has a lot of talent. The process could be expedited if a D-League player came into the league and made an All-Star team. That improbable, but not impossible.
Off the court, I think the D-League owners/marketers need to do a better job of creating aesthetically pleasing merchandise. I know of several minor league baseball teams simply because of their logos and their apparel. I have NEVER seen anyone rock D-League clothing outside of D-League towns.
The folk in Springfield could not have spent more than 10 minutes designing their jerseys and selecting the color scheme. When a league is growing, all facets of it need to be on point.
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on Sep 10, 2025 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, you make a good point about the shift. We are seeing it based on last year but I can see your point in that it will take a few more years.
by JoshuaR on Sep 10, 2025 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
It'll happen when someone scores big
by developing one single star player who emerges from the D-league. It’ll happen with one of the teams like San Antonio that has a true ownership arrangement with the D-league franchise.
That team’s going to be the St. Louis Cardinals, back when they invented the baseball farm system. It’ll change people’s assumptions, just like when the first Euro players turned out to be able to play here.
by feral on Sep 14, 2025 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
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