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Brooklyn Nets introduce the Long Island Nets, their new NBA D-League team

By Tom Lorenzo

For some time, since the Brooklyn Nets parted ways from the Springfield Armor, there was talk about whether or not Brooklyn would consider buying their own D-League team, and, now, we have a definitive answer.

On Friday night, the Brooklyn Nets announced that they had purchased a NBA Development Team and that they are going to call them the Long Island Nets. For the immediate future, meaning 2016, the team will play at the Barclays Center. Ultimately, though, they will play at a revamped Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The Nets now become only the 12th NBA team to fully own a D-League team.

Billy King called this a "great opportunity" for the franchise and mentioned the ability to not only develop players but to develop coaches. The team will also practice at the HSS Training Center, where they will be able to have a closer look at the talent.

Some financials:

There are some thoughts that the Brooklyn Nets and Long Island Nets will play doubleheaders at the Barclays Center next season.

Next season, the Long Island Nets and Brooklyn Nets will both practice at the HSS Training Center in Industry City. Then, when they move to Long Island, the LI Nets will find a new practice facility closer to the Coliseum.

Billy King said the Nets will not put together a coaching staff until next summer, but expects to name a team president sooner.

From the team's press release:

"Today’s announcement is an exciting one – not only for the NBA D-League, which welcomes the league’s record 21st team; or the Nets, who will have a place for young talent to develop; but for Nets fans," said Malcolm Turner, NBA D-League President. "The NBA D-League is a place where talented young athletes refine their skills and develop into NBA contributors, and fans in Brooklyn, and later on Long Island, are sure to enjoy watching current and future NBA talent in an affordable, family-friendly atmosphere. I’m excited to work with the Nets’ executive staff as we ramp up to the start of the 2016-17 season together."

"The creation of a D-League club goes hand in hand with the building of a younger, more athletic Brooklyn Nets team," said Brooklyn Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. "It will provide additional roster opportunities that will serve us well as we focus on realizing the full potential of our coaches and players, current and future."

"This is a great step for our franchise," said Billy King, Nets General Manager. "We will now have the ability to help our young players and coaches grow and develop."

"The Long Island Nets will be a great brand extension of the Brooklyn Nets, and will give us the opportunity to reclaim a territory that was once ours," said Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. "The creation of the Long Island Nets is indicative of our ownership’s commitment to the Nets and to the franchise’s future success. The new team will also serve as a proving ground for up-and-coming talent in all areas of our business."

Five current Nets have spent time in the D-League -- Willie Reed, Shane Larkin, Sergey Karasev, Markel Brown and Donald Sloan.

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