ESPN to air D-League playoffs

The D-League is once again taking a step forward in its growth as a feeder system to the NBA.

Beyond providing more than 50 call-ups so far in the NBA season, the D-League has continued to grow its own individual footprint. That footprint will expand nationally in April, with ESPN picking up the D-League postseason for the first time.

ESPNU and ESPNEWS will broadcast postseason games for 2015 and 2016, beginning on April 7 with the first round of the playoffs. All three games of the finals, if necessary, will air on ESPNU in primetime slots. The full schedule is available on DLeague.NBA.com.

The D-League has been home to 55 players who have spent time in the NBA this season, including 15 first-round picks from the 2014 draft. With 18 teams and an emerging brand, the D-League is close to being a legitimate, viable option to develop talent and personnel, save for humble maximum salaries struggling to keep players stateside.