The Rockets have taken operational control of the D-League team, the Rio Grande Vipers, who play in McAllen, Texas. Rather than buying one of these teams, the Rockets have become the first NBA franchise to participate in the "single affiliate partnership model." They'll have control over the coaching, staffing and system of play utilized. It will allow them more opportunity to actually "develop" talent they send down towards their own system of play.
From the article:
“The Rockets will have the ability to completely manage the day-to-day basketball operations, including the coach, the system, the scouting, the recruiting, the roster management. The opportunities for collaboration involve areas where business and basketball naturally intersect. This is a very important step in the evolution of the NBA Development League, and we’re really happy this has happened.”
Reed said he does not anticipate problems with the needs of the Rockets and Vipers conflicting when it comes to developing players for one team while seeking victories with the other.
“This is a pretty typical arrangement in affiliated minor leagues, although it’s new for the NBA Development League,” Reed said. “Those issues crop up from time to time, and based on the history we’ve studied in other affiliated minor leagues, they generally work themselves out.”
