Throughout the offseason and preseason, NBA teams are permitted to carry 20 players, but that total must be cut down to 15 (plus two 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 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 be an affiliate player for another club, which is why undrafted free agents from the current year are commonly signed and assigned.
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 four teams with no place to send affiliate players.
With all that in mind, here are the NBA G League affiliate players to start the 2017/18 season, per the league’s official site:
Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (Clippers)
Austin Spurs (Spurs)
Canton Charge (Cavaliers)
Delaware 87ers (Sixers)
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Erie BayHawks (Hawks)
Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Pacers)
Grand Rapids Drive (Pistons)
Greensboro Swarm (Hornets)
Iowa Wolves (Timberwolves)
Lakeland Magic (Magic)
Long Island Nets (Nets)
Maine Red Claws (Celtics)
Memphis Hustle (Grizzlies)
Northern Arizona Suns (Suns)
Oklahoma City Blue (Thunder)
Raptors 905 (Raptors)
Reno Bighorns (Kings)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets)
Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz)
Santa Cruz Warriors (Warriors)
Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat)
South Bay Lakers (Lakers)
Texas Legends (Mavericks)
Westchester Knicks (Knicks)
Windy City Bulls (Bulls)
Wisconsin Herd (Bucks)