Silver unsure of G League Ignite's future in wake of NIL
The future of the G League Ignite is up in the air.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league is in the process of reassessing the developmental team following the introduction of name, image, and likeness into college hoops.
"Some of those same players who didn't want to be one-and-done players because they felt it was unfair and they wanted the ability not just to earn a living playing basketball but to do commercial deals that weren't available to them at college, to hire professional agents, an opportunity that wasn't available to them at college, they now - all of those same opportunities have become available to them," Silver told reporters Saturday at All-Star Weekend, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
"I'm not sure what the future of Team Ignite will be, because before there was a hole in the marketplace that we thought we were filling before doing that, and now my focus is turning to earlier development of those players."
The Ignite was established four years ago, offering an alternate pathway to the Association for pre-draft-eligible prospects. Players received six-figure deals to join the program, which included professional coaching, mentorship from ex-NBA veterans, life-skills training, and a full scholarship.
The Ignite competed in the G League as a separate team and in exhibition contests against international clubs.
The program has produced several top draft picks during its existence, including Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets, Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.
However, the Ignite are just 6-31 this season despite boasting multiple NBA prospects on their roster.