Rockets Taking Over D-League Franchise

The Rockets will announce an agreement to take over the basketball operations of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, making the Rockets the first NBA team to adopt the league’s new “single affiliate partnership model.”

The Rockets have had an association with the Vipers since the 2007-08 season, serving with other NBA franchises as an affiliate. By gaining control of the Vipers’ basketball operations, the Rockets can be assured that players they assign to the Development League team will put in the role and system they choose. The Rockets will have as much say as they wish about everything from the coaching staff and offensive philosophies to playing time.

“I think all these things create a competitive edge — which is Mr. (Leslie) Alexander’s main goal and my goal — for the Rockets,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. “We think it’s a pretty good competitive edge. We can run our stuff. We can put someone down there we think can be a future player development coach and see him in action. We can get a stronger sense on the players, their personality, how well they’re coached. None of those things are huge advantages, but we think it is a good advantage.”