Boston Celtics extend their relationship with D-League's Maine Red Claws
The Boston Celtics are one of 18 NBA teams that have an exclusive relationship with a D-League team, the Maine Red Claws, and the two franchises have recently agreed to extend their connection through the 2017-18 season, according to the Bangor Daily News.
In a press release, Celtics President Danny Ainge had this to say about the extension: "We couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship with Bill Ryan and the Red Claws. Maine is full of die-hard Celtics fans, and we hear all the time from both NBA and D-League players that the environment at the Portland Expo is the best in the D-League. There simply is no better place than Maine for our young players to gain valuable experience against top-level competition, and we expect several of them will take advantage of this opportunity again this year and in the years to come.”
The Celtics do a great job utilizing the Red Claws as a developmental resource for their young players, which is smart strategy for any rebuilding team.
James Young, one of their 2014 first-round picks, spent plenty of time up in Maine last season, and the same could happen to rookies Terry Rozier, R.J. Hunter and Jordan Mickey this season.
(h/t: Bangor Daily News)
