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Celtics’ One-to-One Partnership With Maine Red Claws Part of ‘Natural Progression’ Among D-League Affiliates (Video)

PORTLAND, Maine — Under a new agreement with the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics will assume control of the basketball operations of their NBA D-League affiliate. The one-to-one relationship is part of a growing trend within the NBA's minor league structure, and one that could eventually grow to all 30 NBA teams.

"This is a natural evolution of what has already been a very strong partnership between two outstanding organizations," NBA D-League president Dan Reed said. "The Red Claws, since they came into the league, have been among the leaders if virtually every category, selling out their entire first two seasons, and really have been a tremendous organization to work with. They've been very progressive in working not only with the Celtics but with their other NBA affiliates and encouraging them to use this system, which they've done to great effect."

The Celtics are the fifth NBA team to enter into such a hybrid relationship and the 11th to have a one-to-one arrangement. (The other six are directly owned by the parent clubs.) The Red Claws were previously shared by the Celtics, Bobcats and 76ers.

Hear more about the change from Reed in the video above.

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