The NBA G League features an all-time high 30 teams, 28 single-affiliated with an NBA parent club. The league originally launched with eight teams in 2001-02.
The NBA G League welcomed three new franchises for the 2021-22 season.
– The Detroit Pistons debuted the Motor City Cruise, who play their home games in Detroit, Mich. at Wayne State Arena.
– The New Orleans Pelicans announced the Birmingham Squadron, which played in Erie starting in 2019-20, and relocated to Birmingham in 2021, following the renovation of Legacy Arena.
– Capitanes de Ciudad de México made their NBA G League debut in 2021.
The NBA G League also welcomed the Denver Nuggets, who entered into a hybrid affiliation with the Grand Rapids Gold, who were formerly the affiliate of the Detroit Pistons.
Learn more about the changes and new teams:
Birmingham Squadron
(New Orleans Pelicans)
Announced: October 24, 2018 | Official Release
Location: Erie, Pa. (starting in 2019-20), Birmingham, Ala. (estimated 2021-22)
Home Arena: Erie Insurance Arena (beginning in 2019-20), Legacy Arena (estimated 2021-22)
Inaugural Season: 2021-22
Motor City Cruise
(Detroit Pistons)
Announced: October 30, 2020 | Official Release
Location: Detroit, Mich. (starting in 2021-22)
Home Arena: Wayne State Arena (2021-22)
Inaugural Season: 2021-2022
Capitanes de Ciudad de México
Announced: December 12, 2019 | Official Release
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Home Arena: Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera
Background: Capitanes de Ciudad de México are a professional basketball team founded in Mexico City in 2016. They competed in Mexico’s Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional through 2020 and are expected to participate in NBA G League play for the first time in 2021.
Inaugural G League Season: 2021-2022
Affiliate: None
Grand Rapids Gold
(Denver Nuggets)
Announced: April 25, 2021 | Official Release
Location: Walker, Mich.
Home Arena: DeltaPlex Arena
NBA G League Expansion History
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
