Friday was the NBA Developmental League Draft. The Blazers' affiliate the Idaho Stampede made many choices in filling their roster, such as former Richmond standout and Orlando Magic forward Justin Harper. Harper had lots of promise as a stretch 4, but has not developed very fast on a team who has a plethora of stretch 4's already, such as Andrew Nicholson and Al Harrington this year, and Ryan Anderson last year. He is a good player, and could have a great season in the D-League running Portland's offense and defensive schemes. However, there is no guarantee we can keep him. Due to current D-League rules, and the lack of an organized minor league system, any development we could see from Harper may go to waste. In Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, there are minor league systems to develop players that may one day fit into the highest tier of the professional team. While many NBA teams are buying into the developmental league idea (Portland being one of them), but it will take every team in the league to insure the success of the D-League as a minor league system.
ESPN produced a series of five articles this fall about issues regarding the expansion of the developmental league for a minor league system. Included topics involved the NBA Draft, finances, and player development to name 3 of the 5. I strongly recommend that these articles be read by even casual fans (Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8465320/nba-projecting-players-produced-full-nba-minor-leagues). Why is this? The NBA D-League would allow NBA teams to further develop prospects who are not ready for minutes at the pro level, without using a coveted roster spot at the highest level. One of the main concerns teams have for expansion is the desire to protect all of the players on the D-League team, rather than just players with NBA contracts, as is the current system. Even when teams are the sole affiliate with a D-League team under the current rules, other teams around the league can sign players off of a different D-League team to their roster. NBA teams argue that it is unfair for teams to use resources to develop players without the guarantee of being able to keep them. This, of course, would require higher, and most likely guaranteed, salaries for players in the D-League, but it would be well worth it.
Recent Portland draft picks, like Luke Babbitt and Nolan Smith, have not produced at the NBA level, and have had their contract options declined as a result of it. If they had significant time in the D-League to develop skills that translate to the highest level they would have achieved greater success. There are many other teams around the league who express the same concerns about players, for example the high number of late lottery centers who have failed in the NBA.
I strongly endorse the expansion of the NBA developmental league, as it will make the League stronger over time, and help NBA teams gain a greater profit on their investment of players.
Any questions?
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