Idaho Stampede enters into a partnership with Portland Trail Blazers - NBA Update
Idaho Stampede have made NBA franchise Portland Trail Blazers their sole affiliate.
Idaho became the latest NBA Development League to make an alliance with an NBA team after signing a deal on May 29. Stampede President Steve Brandes called the 3 year deal as the biggest development in their 15 years of history.
The deal will help to funnel more Idaho’s players into Portland.
Trail Blazers will be having a complete authority over Stampede basketball operations; they will have a final say over the selection of coaching staff, player’s roster and scouting departments.
Over the last few years developmental leagues have been tying such knots with the main stream franchises. Idaho Stampede Managing Investor Bill Ilett, whose group will continue to monitor the business side of the Boise franchise,
said that this is a new trend and it will help to improve the standards of the game.
“This is the model that is coming to professional basketball,” said Bill Ilett. “... You’re going to see a younger, faster, smoother game.”
Bill also exchanged jerseys with Portland’s assistant general manager Bill Branch at the contract signing ceremony. Ilett said that both of the franchises share the same passion and it will be mutually beneficial.
"Both organizations have the same strong work ethic, and the same passion for greatness," said Ilett. "You're going to see a younger, faster, smoother game."
Trail Blazers now become the 4th franchise to make an affiliation with the D-league team. Previously Houston Rockets had entered into a hybrid affiliation with Rio Grande Valley Vipers’ Brooklyn Nets inked a deal with
Springfield Armor, while New York Knicks also signed a similar deal with Erie Bay Hawks.
In the last season Stampede were affiliated with Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz along with Trail Blazers. This multi team affiliation didn’t bring the desired results, as every NBA club want its players to be developed in a specific
way. Naturally Idaho couldn’t meet all the requirements.
Now working under the directives of Portland solely, things will be different. Trail Blazers President Larry Miller was also confident that the agreement will pay dividends on the court.
"This investment in the development of our young players will pay dividends on the court and we're excited about working with the Stampede”.
The partnership will officially commence at the start of 2012-13 D-League season.
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