During a funky last couple of seasons in Portland — with a rash of injuries and an attempt to restructure the team — the Trail Blazers have called up 13 players from the G-Leauge. They had to pluck all those players off other teams’ G-League affiliates because Portland didn’t have its own.
Finally that is about to change. The Trail Blazers will form a G-League team of their own for next season, the team announced Wednesday. That team will play at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center.
“It was very important to our organization to enter the G League with an affiliate here in Portland and strategically strengthen our dedication to player development,” Joe Cronin, the Trail Blazers General Manager, said in a statement. “I would especially like to thank Jody Allen, who is aligned with Dewayne Hankins and myself, to make it a priority to have this team ready for next season as it will serve not only as a developmental tool for players but also for aspiring coaches and staff while we continue to be a mainstay in the community as a whole.”
“I’m excited to welcome Jody Allen and the Trail Blazers ownership group to the NBA G League family,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim in the same statement. “The NBA G League continues to grow to meet the developmental demands of NBA teams, and today’s announcement is further proof of the value the league provides to the NBA every day. I can’t wait to watch the team tip off at the Chiles Center next season.”
What this gives the team is a place the Trail Blazers can develop young players under their own control, with their own coaches — and a place the front office staff can easily keep tabs on the guys in person by watching practices and games. With teams having three two-way contracts allowed in the new CBA — and a rebuild coming eventually in Portland whenever the Damian Lillard era ends — this was the smart move.
It’s a sign that Portland is serious about developing talent. Also, when Allen eventually sells the team, this adds to that value.
