Timberwolves buying Iowa D-League team

The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting their own D-League affiliate.

The club announced Monday that team owner Glen Taylor submitted a letter of intent to buy the Iowa Energy. The T-Wolves are set to be the 18th NBA franchise to have its own D-League team.

"We're thrilled to bring the Iowa Energy into the Timberwolves family," Taylor said. "It's great knowing that we can develop our young players so close to home and enjoy all the other benefits that come with owning a D-League team. We look forward to growing our relationship with the greater Des Moines area, the state of Iowa and basketball fans across the Upper Midwest."

The Memphis Grizzlies have been sending their players to the Energy, but that partnership will end after this season. The Grizz are expected to announce the acquisition of a D-League expansion team Tuesday.

The Energy will continue to host home games at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines, which is just over an hour away from Target Center by plane.

Shabazz Muhammad, Adreian Payne, Cole Aldrich, and Tyus Jones have all previously played in the development league.