Question: What is this?

Answer: The NBA Development League ("D-League") was created back in the 14th century or so, designed as a minor league of sorts for the NBA. It continues to slowly expand, and, during the reign of Henry VIII, a rule was added whereby the existing D-League franchises were "affiliated" with certain NBA franchises (trying to keep as close of a local match as is realistically possible).

Initially, this rule allowed those NBA franchises to "assign" any first or second year players that they may have to the D-League team's roster, where they can then garner more playing time and experience. However, the 2011 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement extended this to three years, and also included a new provision that players with any number of years of experience can be assigned to the D-League, as long as they consent.

There therefore follows a list of all the D-League franchises, their affiliated NBA teams, and all first, second and third year players who may be assigned without needing permission..

Note: Player lists accurate as of January 4th 2012. I only mention this as I might not update immediately following any NBA transactions, because I'm both lazy and a bit forgetful.

Austin Toros

San Antonio Spurs : Tiago Splitter, James Anderson, DeJuan Blair, Gary Neal, Danny Green, Cory Joseph, Kawhi Leonard

Bakersfield Jam

L.A. Clippers : Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, Travis Leslie, Trey Thompkins

Phoenix Suns : Markieff Morris

Toronto Raptors : James Johnson, DeMar Derozan, Gary Forbes, Ed Davis, Solomon Alabi

Canton Charge

Cleveland Cavaliers : Samardo Samuels, Christian Eyenga, Alonzo Gee, Semih Erden, Luke Harangody, Omri Casspi, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Mychel Thompson

Dakota Wizards

Golden State Warriors : Stephen Curry, Ekpe Udoh, Ish Smith, Chris Wright, Klay Thompson, Jeremy Tyler, Charles Jenkins

Erie BayHawks

New York Knicks : Toney Douglas, Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields, Iman Shumpert, Josh Harrellson, Jerome Jordan

Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Detroit Pistons : Jonas Jerebko, Austin Daye, Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, Vernon Macklin

Indiana Pacers : Tyler Hansbrough, Paul George, Lance Stephenson, A.J. Price, Darren Collison, Jeff Pendergraph

Milwaukee Bucks : Jon Brockman, Brandon Jennings, Larry Sanders, Darington Hobson, Jon Leuer, Tobias Harris

Idaho Stampede

Denver Nuggets : Ty Lawson, Gary Forbes, Timofey Mozgov

Portland Trail Blazers : Wesley Matthews, Luke Babbitt, Armon Johnson, Elliot Williams, Patrick Mills, Chris Johnson

Utah Jazz : Enes Kanter, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Jeremy Evans

Iowa Energy

Chicago Bulls : Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, Jimmy Butler

New Orleans Hornets : Dajuan Summers, Trey Johnson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Greivis Vasquez, Carldell Johnson, Gustavo Ayon

Washington Wizards : Trevor Booker, John Wall, Kevin Seraphin, Hamady Ndiaye, Jordan Crawford, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack, Jan Vesely

Los Angeles D-Fenders

L.A. Lakers : Devin Ebanks, Derrick Caracter, Andrew Goudelock, Darius Morris

Maine Red Claws

Boston Celtics : Avery Bradley, JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Greg Stiemsma

Charlotte Bobcats : Gerald Henderson, Reggie Williams, Derrick Brown, B.J. Mullens, Cory Higgins, Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo

Philadelphia 76ers : Craig Brackins, Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, Jodie Meeks, Xavier Henry, Lavoy Allen, Nikola Vucevic

Reno Bighorns

Atlanta Hawks : Ivan Johnson, Donald Sloan, Jeff Teague

Memphis Grizzlies : Sam Young, Quincy Pondexter , Dante Cunningham, Josh Davis, Josh Selby, Jeremy Pargo

Sacramento Kings : Tyreke Evans, Hassan Whiteside, Jimmer Fredette, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Tyler Honeycutt

Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Houston Rockets : Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson, Terrence Williams, Hasheem Thabeet, Marcus Morris, Chandler Parsons, Jonny Flynn, Jeff Adrien

Sioux Falls Skyforce

Miami Heat : Dexter Pittman, Norris Cole, Mickell Gladness, Terrel Harris

Minnesota Timberwolves : Wayne Ellington, Derrick Williams, Nikola Pekovic, Malcolm Lee, Wesley Johnson, Ricky Rubio

Orlando Magic : Daniel Orton, Earl Clark, Justin Harper, DeAndre Liggins

Springfield Armor

New Jersey Nets : Damion James, MarShon Brooks, Sundiata Gaines, Jordan Williams, Dennis Horner

Texas Legends

Dallas Mavericks : Rodrigue Beaubois, Dominique Jones

Tulsa 66ers

Oklahoma City Thunder : James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Eric Maynor, Cole Aldrich, Ryan Reid, Reggie Jackson, Lazar Hayward

  January 4th: Toronto assigns Solomon Alabi to Bakersfield.
  January 4th: Cleveland assigns Christian Eyenga to Canton.
  January 4th: Portland assigns Luke Babbit and Armon Johnson to Idaho.
  January 3rd: Denver assigns Jordan Hamilton and Julyan Stone to Idaho.
  January 3rd: San Antonio recalls Gary Neal from Austin.
  January 2nd: Houston assigns Marcus Morris to Rio Grande Valley.
  January 2nd: Sacramento assigns Tyler Honeycutt and Hassan Whiteside to Reno.
  January 2nd: San Antonio assigns Gary Neal and Cory Joseph to Austin.
  January 1st: Washington assigns Hamady N'Diaye to Iowa.
  December 29th: Milwaukee assigns Darington Hobson to Fort Wayne.
  December 22nd: Dallas recalls Sean Williams, Jerome Randle and Drew Neitzel from Texas.
  December 21st: Dallas assigns Sean Williams, Jerome Randle and Drew Neitzel to Texas.
  December 18th: L.A. Lakers recall Andrew Goudelock and Malcolm Thomas from the L.A. D-Fenders.
  December 17th: L.A. Lakers sign Troy Murphy and assign Andrew Goudelock and Malcolm Thomas to the L.A. D-Fenders.


To see last year's, click here.