Lakers D-League Team, The D-Fenders, To Return Next Season

The Los Angeles Lakers decided that they didn't need their NBA D-League team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, this past season. After a location change, however, the Lakers are once again recommitting themselves to the Development League.

The D-Fenders return, which I mentioned in this article earlier in the week, will happen at the Toyota Sports Center i El Segundo, California with the chief executive being Joey Buss.

The team has relaunched its website, too, with the following message:

The D-Fenders are excited about returning to the hardwood for the 2011-12 season! See the Lakers stars of the future. Don't miss any of the action. Check back in the next few weeks for the relaunch of D-Fenders.com, which will contain info on the team, home venue, tickets and more.

This is great for the D-League, adding to an already busy week that saw the New York Knicks take a large step in the right direction by acquiring the basketball operations of the Erie BayHawks.

I assume a coaching search is underway, and I'll try to throw out a list of candidates soon, but for now I think it's safe to say that more videos like the one below are in the Lakers' future since they've come back to the D-League.