Warriors buy Dakota Wizards of D-League

NEW YORK (AP)

The Golden State Warriors have bought the Dakota Wizards, becoming the fourth NBA team to own and operate its NBA Development League affiliate.

Golden State will fully control the team's business and basketball operations beginning with the 2011-12 season. The Warriors will be the sole NBA affiliate of the Wizards.

The Lakers (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Oklahoma City Thunder (Tulsa 66ers) and San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros) also fully own and operate their D-League affiliates.

The Warriors are the eighth NBA team to have an exclusive affiliation with a team in the D-League, the official minor league of the NBA.

Dakota was affiliated with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards during the 2010-11 season. Their D-League affiliates will be announced later.