There is a drastic difference between winning an NBA Championship and winning an G-League Championship. NBA Championship teams want to keep the core of the success together and go into the next season in search of a repeat.
On the other hand, a G-League championship can help propel the career of the players. Perhaps to the NBA. Or maybe just to greener pastures.
Darrun Hilliard signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs a year ago this week. He and Matt Costello were the first to engage in this new facet of the NBA.