Wolves' new D League affiliate: Iowa Energy

Wolves will share Des Moines team with four other NBA teams

July 16, 2013 at 3:46AM

The Wolves are swtiching their D League affiliate from Sioux Falls to the Iowa Energy.

The Wolves haven't used their affiliate much historically -- mostly just for injury rehabs with Jonny Flynn and Malcolm Lee in recent years -- but Flip Saunders said he'd like to use it to develop young players more if possible.

The Wolves switch to a team in Des Moines after Miami developed an exclusive relationship with the Skyforce in South Dakota.

Chicago, New Orleans, Denver and Washington also will use Iowa as its D League team when its first- or second-year players need playing time or if a player is coming back from injury.

In a perfect world, Flip said the Wolves would have their own D League team in Rochester or St. Cloud, for two reasons: It would allow them to pick a coach who runs the same systems as the NBA club and it'd allow players to easily practice with the Wolves in the afternoon and play in the D League at night.

Iowa is the best they can do for now, the closest team in the 17-team D League.

about the writer

about the writer

Jerry Zgoda

Reporter

Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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