Before the expansion of the Memphis Hustle was in place, the Memphis Grizzlies originally relied on their first G-League affiliate with the Iowa Energy. They partnered with this team for three years from 2014 through 2017.
At the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season, the Minnesota Timberwolves became the next team to retain ownership, changing the name to the Iowa Wolves. Shifting from the Energy, the Grizzlies bought the expansion rights to a new team and thus forged the Memphis Hustle — a team that plays just 15 miles from the FedEx Forum at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.