Throughout the offseason and preseason, NBA teams are permitted to carry 20 players, but that total must be cut down to 15 (plus a pair of two-way players) in advance of opening night. However, up to four players waived by teams prior to the season can be designated as “affiliate players” and assigned to their G League squads.
The players have a say in this decision. If they’d prefer to sign with a team overseas, or if they get an opportunity with another NBA club, they’re under no obligation to become affiliate players.
Most NBA and international teams have fairly set rosters by late October though, so having the opportunity to continue playing in the same system appeals to many of those preseason cuts — especially since many of them will be in line for bonuses worth up to $50K after having signed Exhibit 10 contracts. Plus, they’ll continue to be NBA free agents while they play in the G League.
There are a few other rules related to G League affiliate players. A player whose returning rights are held by a G League team can’t become an affiliate player for another club, which is why undrafted rookies make up a substantial portion of the league-wide list of affiliate players.
Additionally, an affiliate player must have signed with his team during the current league year, which explains why we often see players signed and quickly waived in the days leading up to the regular season. And, of course, not every NBA team has a G League affiliate, so there are three teams – the Pelicans, Nuggets, and Trail Blazers – with no place to send affiliate players.
With all that in mind, here are the NBA G League affiliate players to start the 2018/19 season, based on training camp roster announcements from the league’s 27 squads:
Atlanta Hawks (Erie BayHawks):
Boston Celtics (Maine Red Claws):
Brooklyn Nets (Long Island Nets):
Charlotte Hornets (Greensboro Swarm):
Chicago Bulls (Windy City Bulls):
Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge):
Dallas Mavericks (Texas Legends):
Detroit Pistons (Grand Rapids Drive):
Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors):
Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers):
Indiana Pacers (Fort Wayne Mad Ants):
Los Angeles Clippers (Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario):
Los Angeles Lakers (South Bay Lakers):
Memphis Grizzlies (Memphis Hustle):
Miami Heat (Sioux Falls Skyforce):
Milwaukee Bucks (Wisconsin Herd):
Minnesota Timberwolves (Iowa Wolves):
New York Knicks (Westchester Knicks):
Oklahoma City Thunder (Oklahoma City Blue):
Orlando Magic (Lakeland Magic):
Philadelphia 76ers (Delaware Blue Coats):
Phoenix Suns (Northern Arizona Suns):
Sacramento Kings (Stockton Kings):
San Antonio Spurs (Austin Spurs):
Toronto Raptors (Raptors 905):
Utah Jazz (Salt Lake City Stars):
Washington Wizards (Capital City Go-Go):