The NBA Development League started in 2001. It's purpose was to allow players to furthur their skills and adapt to the intensity of the NBA. Back then, all 30 NBA teams shared control over eight D-League (development league) teams.Today, there are 19 D-League teams, with 18 of them being controlled by a single NBA team. That leaves only one team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the lone independent team, being affiliated with 12 NBA teams. Teams use the D-League to develop younger talents with large amounts of upside.
According to the D-League Digest, the Indiana Pacers are looking to purchase their affiliate team, the Mad Ants. The Pacers have occasionally used to the D-League for their players, such as Shayne Whittington and Solomon Hill. It shouldn't come as a surprise that talks of the Pacers buying the Mad Ants are in the works after their roster went through a complete shakeup during the offseason. The new-look Pacers have a lot of young guys who could benefit greatly from competing in a D-League team belonging fully to the Pacers. Myles Turner, Joe Young, Rakeem Christmas, and Glenn Robinson III could benefit greatly from the experience of the D-League.
With the Pacers planning to buy the Mad Ants, 11 NBA teams would be left without a D-League affiliate. This could spark a massive change of the D-League. If the NBA's goal is to create a "minor league" or basketball using the D-League, each team would have it's own D-League affiliate. The D-League would have to expand to 30 teams, giving even more chances for young players to be discovered.
With a new roster, a new style of play, and a huge increase in revenue set to come next season (from television deals), the Pacers are making a great investment by attaining their own D-League affiliate.