The Los Angeles D-Fenders announced today that the team will return to operation in the NBA Development League, the NBA’s official minor league, for the 2011-2012 season after a one-season hiatus. The D-Fenders, owned and operated by the Los Angeles Lakers, will resume their single affiliation with the 2009-10 NBA Champions, and will play their home games at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, Calif.
“We are excited to continue our investment in the NBA Development League as it continues to evolve into a basketball and business asset for NBA teams,” said D-Fenders Chief Executive Joey Buss.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Los Angeles D-Fenders back to the NBA Development League,” said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. “The Lakers have been an outstanding partner with the NBA D-League for years, and their return further reinforces our growing significance to the NBA – especially considering they are now one of seven NBA teams with a ‘one-to-one’ affiliation. We’re excited about the terrific fan experience they plan to provide at Toyota Sports Center.”
With the D-Fenders’ return, the NBA Development League now features seven teams with lone NBA affiliates. Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs also fully own and operate their affiliates, the Tulsa 66ers and Austin Toros, respectively. The Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks have ‘hybrid affiliations’ with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Springfield Armor and Erie BayHawks, respectively, controlling the basketball operations of their NBA D-League affiliates, while the Dallas Mavericks are singly affiliated with the Texas Legends.
