My Solution for the NBA D-League

**cybsball20** · 02-12-2009, 11:46 AM

IF the NBA truely wants the D-League to succeed and be a true minor league system, here is the plan. The only thing is, I think they have a vested interest in Euro basketball so may not want it to really compete... Anyhow, here it goes.

1. Expand the Draft to 3 rounds. Offer guaranteed three year development contracts, with signing bonuses so these guys will stay and not take off for Europe. The league salary could stay relatively low and once these guys reach their three years they can choose to stay in the D-League, be eligible for another team, or take off to Europe.

2. After 3 years in the league, players need to be moved up or offered up in a "Rule 5" like draft. This would keep teams from stocking up on talent in their minor league team and help the lower level teams grab quality players.

3. Allow current NBA players to rehab in the D-League.

4. Have a 1-1 relationship with the NBA teams with the big club owning exclusive rights to the players with the right to trade them.

5. Move the early entry to 2 years in college. This would keep guys from leaving for the money grab.

I really think these 5 little things would really help the D-League and probably the NBA in the long run...

I really think that these adjustments

**cycopath25** · 02-12-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

IF the NBA truely wants the D-League to succeed and be a true minor league system, here is the plan. The only thing is, I think they have a vested interest in Euro basketball so may not want it to really compete... Anyhow, here it goes.

1. Expand the Draft to 3 rounds. Offer guaranteed three year development contracts, with signing bonuses so these guys will stay and not take off for Europe. The league salary could stay relatively low and once these guys reach their three years they can choose to stay in the D-League, be eligible for another team, or take off to Europe.

2. After 3 years in the league, players need to be moved up or offered up in a "Rule 5" like draft. This would keep teams from stocking up on talent in their minor league team and help the lower level teams grab quality players.

3. Allow current NBA players to rehab in the D-League.

4. Have a 1-1 relationship with the NBA teams with the big club owning exclusive rights to the players with the right to trade them.

5. Move the early entry to 2 years in college. This would keep guys from leaving for the money grab.

I really think these 5 little things would really help the D-League and probably the NBA in the long run...

I really think that these adjustments

Quality post and I agree with you on this one.

**Clones85'** · 02-12-2009, 12:04 PM

My big question is to your #1. How big are the contracts going to be? They would have to be really lucrative for them to want to stay in the US

**cybsball20** · 02-12-2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

My big question is to your #1. How big are the contracts going to be? They would have to be really lucrative for them to want to stay in the US

Pretty similar to MLB and NBA first round for the round 1. Round 2 probably $800,000-$2 mil. Round 3 probably $300,000-$750,000. Of course the market would ultimately dictate... Plus the three year guarantee...

**Clones85'** · 02-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Pretty similar to MLB and NBA first round for the round 1. Round 2 probably $800,000-$2 mil. Round 3 probably $300,000-$750,000. Of course the market would ultimately dictate... Plus the three year guarantee...

Wouldn't that be about 20X what they are currently making?

**cybsball20** · 02-12-2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

Wouldn't that be about 20X what they are currently making?

The bonus would be on the big team's dime and the first rounders are getting it anyways and likely not to be in the D-League. This would take some of that rediculous money the first rounders are getting now and tone it down. I think the way it is now the D-League teams pay the salary.

**SC Cy** · 02-12-2009, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

The bonus would be on the big team's dime and the first rounders are getting it anyways and likely not to be in the D-League. This would take some of that rediculous money the first rounders are getting now and tone it down. I think the way it is now the D-League teams pay the salary.

You are really on to something. This seems waaaay to logical! Adding another round or two to the draft is a great idea.

**Palmer** · 02-12-2009, 12:25 PM

I hope the D-League in DSM goes away...

I just want to find out what Marty would talk about...

**Ficklone02** · 02-12-2009, 12:26 PM

Just for comparison purposes....why don't more guys out of high school who aren't quite developed enough for major league baseball go to japan instead of the minors? I assume they would make a lot more money.

**Clonegrad07** · 02-12-2009, 12:26 PM

I agree... use it like the MLB does...

**BryceC** · 02-12-2009, 12:30 PM

The problem is minor league baseball is still making money and the NBDL is not really. The NBA got spoiled using NCAA basketball as their minor league for years and then they screwed themselves by drafting too many teenagers who weren't ready.

Frankly I think it's in the best interest of the league to do what football does - make somebody wait 3 years after high school (or 2 years minimum) or let them go to Europe.

**cybsball20** · 02-12-2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ficklone02

Just for comparison purposes....why don't more guys out of high school who aren't quite developed enough for major league baseball go to japan instead of the minors? I assume they would make a lot more money.

Because they would get their tails handed to them... There aren't many kids that jump directly to AAA from High School...

Originally Posted by BryceC

The problem is minor league baseball is still making money and the NBDL is not really. The NBA got spoiled using NCAA basketball as their minor league for years and then they screwed themselves by drafting too many teenagers who weren't ready.

Frankly I think it's in the best interest of the league to do what football does - make somebody wait 3 years after high school (or 2 years minimum) or let them go to Europe.

Because in MiLB you know that you are seeing guys that will likely make it to the majors, and likely with that team. With the D-League you are seeing one guy that may see some bench time surrounded by a bunch of never will be's...

**Ficklone02** · 02-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Because they would get their tails handed to them... There aren't many kids that jump directly to AAA from High School...

Because in MiLB you know that you are seeing guys that will likely make it to the majors, and likely with that team. With the D-League you are seeing one guy that may see some bench time surrounded by a bunch of never will be's...

ok, thanks.

Baseball's got some pretty funky rules to that causes smaller market teams to play games with guys' options, to slow down there free agency clock. Alot to be considered. One difference between basketball and baseball is that ncaa basketball is a huge moneymaker, and baseball is not near as big. Hard to say how that all plays in, but you'd think the university presidents (and CBS) would highly opposed to an expanded D-league, which would drain talent away from the college game.

**cybsball20** · 02-12-2009, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ficklone02

One difference between basketball and baseball is that ncaa basketball is a huge moneymaker, and baseball is not near as big. Hard to say how that all plays in, but you'd think the university presidents (and CBS) would highly opposed to an expanded D-league, which would drain talent away from the college game.

Thats why you add another year to the early entry rule.

**BryceC** · 02-12-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Thats why you add another year to the early entry rule.

See I think that adding more years to the early entry rule will only lessen the need for a minor league. The only way the NBDL could be successful is if they pay enough to attract players. And while they have a minor league in CBB and Europe, why would they care enough to do so?