With the recent reports that the Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with an Oshkosh-based wealth management firm to potentially bring a D-League affiliate to Milwaukee, the Nuggets along with seven other NBA franchises find themselves behind the eight ball.
Currently, 14 teams fully own and operate their D-League affiliate. The Cavaliers, Jazz, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Raptors, 76ers, Spurs, Suns, Thunder and Warriors all had full control over their minor league teams last year, while the Nets, Hornets, and Bulls are adding affiliates for the 2016-17 season. Eight teams, the Celtics, Grizzlies, Heat, Kings, Magic, Mavericks, Pistons and Rockets have hybrid affiliations with their D-League teams, meaning the NBA parent club manages and funds the basketball operations, but local ownership maintains control of the sales, marketing, community relations and other components of the team.