The Portland Trail Blazers will begin operating a G League franchise in the 2023-2024 season -- leaving only the Phoenix Suns without a minor-league affiliate team, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
The Blazers are fast-tracking a team that'll play its home games at the University of Portland and conduct practices at the Blazers' practice facility, sources said.
New G League affiliates typically take 18-24 months to get up and running, but owner Jody Allen wants to help the franchise's front office prioritize player development and Blazers GM Joe Cronin will work to speed up the process and have a team for the coming season, sources said.