18 G League teams heading to Disney World bubble in Orlando, 11 decline

The NBA G League is set to have a 2021 season after all, and it’ll be on familiar stomping grounds for professional basketball during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, 18 G League teams are opting in for the Disney World bubble in Orlando, while 11 teams are declining the invite.

The season is tentatively scheduled to start on Feb. 8, and teams will play a 12-15 game schedule.

The NBA G League will be starting up again soon

Per Charania, the 18 teams that have opted in are as follows:

• Agua Caliente (LA Clippers affiliate)
• Austin Spurs (San Antonio Spurs)
• Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Delaware Blue Coats (Philadelphia 76ers)
• Erie BayHawks (New Orleans Pelicans/Washington Wizards)
• Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers)
• Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets)
• Iowa Wolves (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic)
• Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets)
• Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies)
• Oklahoma City Blue (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)
• Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets)
• Salt Lake City Stars (Utah Jazz)
• Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State Warriors)
• Westchester Knicks (New York Knicks)
• Ignite (G League Elite team)

The following 11 teams will not be sending their G League affiliate to participate in the bubble:

• College Park Skyhawks (Atlanta Hawks)
• Maine Red Claws (Boston Celtics)
• Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls)
• Texas Legends (Dallas Mavericks)
• Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons)
• South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat)
• Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks)
• Northern Arizona Suns (Phoenix Suns)*
• Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings)
• Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards)**

*The Phoenix Suns recently sold their G League team, which was relocated to Detroit and renamed as the Motor City Cruise to replace the Grand Rapids Drive.

**The Wizards are not sending the Go-Go, but will utilize the Erie BayHawks with the Pelicans.

The G League draft is set for Jan. 11. Teams must prepare to arrive in their home markets for physicals and onboarding on Jan. 19. On Jan. 26, teams will arrive in Orlando. Tip-off is scheduled for Feb. 8, while the playoffs will last from March 5-9.

According to Charania, teams are expected to cover “health and safety expenses in the $400-500,000 range.”