USATODAY

The Orlando Magic became the 16th team to have a one-to-one affiliation with an NBA Development League team Monday when they entered into a three-year affiliation with the Erie BayHawks.

The partnership, also referred to as a "hybrid affiliation," is the eighth of its kind in the D-League and allows an NBA team to control the D-League team's basketball operations while the existing local ownership maintains primary responsibility for the team's off-the-court business operations and community initiatives.

"We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with the BayHawks," Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a news release. "We feel this hybrid relationship will further assist our efforts in regards to developing NBA talent, while providing Erie with a team they can be proud of. I would like to thank Steve Demetriou. His vision and values fit very well with ours and we are excited about this exclusive affiliation."

The BayHawks, in their sixth season, have previously been affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors.

They have had 11 players who to be called up to the NBA and four NBA D-League All-Stars.

"The Magic's partnership with the BayHawks is yet another example of the increasing significance of the NBA D-League to NBA teams, as more than half of all NBA teams have now invested in an exclusive NBA D-League affiliate" said Dan Reed, NBA D-League President. "The BayHawks and Magic are two excellent organizations with outstanding leadership, and I know they will be great partners."

There were 36 D-League players to earn 49 call-ups during the 2013-14 season. An all-time high 33% of all NBA players (149) on 2013-14 NBA end-of-season rosters have D-League experience.

The Magic become the eighth NBA team to enter into a hybrid affiliation with an NBA D-League team for the 2014-15 season, joining the Boston Celtics (Maine Red Claws), Detroit Pistons (Grand Rapids NBA D-League Team), Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Memphis Grizzlies (Iowa Energy), Miami Heat (Sioux Falls Skyforce), Phoenix Suns (Bakersfield Jam) and Sacramento Kings (Reno Bighorns).

Seven additional NBA teams will own and operate their NBA D-League affiliates for the 2014-15 season: Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge), Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors), Los Angeles Lakers (L.A. D-Fenders), New York Knicks (Westchester NBA D-League Team), Oklahoma City Thunder (Tulsa 66ers), Philadelphia 76ers (Delaware 87ers) and San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros).

Additionally, the Dallas Mavericks have a single affiliation with the Texas Legends by way of Mavericks' general manager Donnie Nelson's ownership of the Legends.