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The G League is back ... or will be soon. Reports out of Forbes Sports Money and ESPN suggest preparations will begin in three weeks with a targeted Opening Night in early February. And for the first time, veteran players will be permitted to join G League rosters.
According to a tweet from Adam Zagoria of Forbes Sports Money on Thursday, the G League will begin preparing for a shortened season on January 13 with an “at-home” quarantine for all their players and staff. Games, according to Zagoria, won’t begin until February 8.
Tentative G League schedule sent to an agent by one NBA team pic.twitter.com/beTmUdNa8X
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 24, 2020
According to reports, the G League will set up shop at Atlanta’s brand new arena in suburban College Park, Georgia, close to Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport, making it ideal for call-ups. However, with only a month-long schedule —including playoffs— the number of call-ups is likely to be small.
Later Thursday, Jonathan Givony of ESPN and Draft Express also reported on the plan, offering more details on a new twist for G League rosters.
As part of this bubble, the G League is making adjustments to their roster rules making it easier for NBA teams to recruit and sign veteran free agents with 5+ years of NBA service. Every team will now be allowed to designate one “NBA Vet Selection” to their roster. https://t.co/0KBniECOqn
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) December 24, 2020
The “NBA Vet Selection” program will permit the Santa Cruz Warriors to sign former Net Jeremy Lin, reports Adam Johnson, who covers Santa Cruz.
The Nets were among the first to opt into the plan. The league is reportedly charging NBA teams a $500,000 fee to cover costs of the “bubble.’ Long Island recently hired veteran Brooklyn assistant Bret Brielmaier as head coach.
Based on a variety of reports, Long Island will field a team including their two two-ways, Reggie Perry and Chris Chiozza, affiliate Elie Okobo, Paul Eboua, Nate Sestina and Jordan Bowden as well as G League vets Tariq Owens, Kaiser Gates, and Matt Farrell, all acquired in off-season moves. Nicolas Claxton, who’s recovering from knee tendinopathy, could also see action in a G League “bubble.”
In addition to their expected roster, it’s expected that Brooklyn players will be assigned to Long Island during the season - but ‘not for long stints’, according to a league source.