Image Source: NBA
[Saba Sports News] The NBA is set to enact a significant change regarding the G League Ignite team as the current season draws to a close. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the league will disband the Ignite at the conclusion of the ongoing G League season. This decision arrives merely four years after the NBA introduced the developmental team, aiming to provide top draft prospects with a pathway to competitive basketball and financial gain.
However, with the extensive transformations in the NCAA landscape since 2020, the relevance of the Ignite has diminished. The advent of name, image, and likeness opportunities for college athletes has enabled them to earn income while participating in sports. This shift essentially nullifies the purpose of the Ignite project, making its continuation impractical.
Nevertheless, the Ignite can be regarded as a success. Initially, it attracted numerous top players, some of whom, like Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Green, and Scoot Henderson, went on to become lottery picks in the NBA Draft. Despite this, the team’s current record stands at 6-40 this season, with fewer incentives for top high school players to bypass college in favor of joining the Ignite.