SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) -- Commissioner David Stern wants the NBA to send some of its players to the minor league.
Stern proposed expanding the National Basketball Development League from its current six- or seven-team structure to 15 franchises, allowing each NBA team to farm out one young player on its roster.
``... If a team has a player below a certain age that it thinks would benefit from playing a lot, assigning the contract of that player to an affiliated team would be a good idea because we have young men playing four minutes instead of 40,'' Stern said Wednesday.
Speaking at an impromptu news conference prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, Stern noted the idea needs the approval of the NBA Players Association.
Union spokesman Dan Wasserman did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press seeking comment.
The NBA's current labor agreement with its players expires after next season.
Stern planned to discuss his idea with the union.
NBA Commissioner David Stern wants minor league