NEW YORK

Bruno-mania will be taking Mississauga by storm next season.

After many months of work, the Raptors have all but wrapped up the acquisition of an NBA Development League franchise of their own that will begin play at the Hershey Centre next season sources confirmed to the Sun.

Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri said Tuesday that the team was “hopeful” and “at the finish line” and while he would only add Wednesday that the franchise is “keeping our fingers crossed,” sources confirmed a Toronto Star report that it is happening.

The Raptors previously shared various D-League affiliates and had no control over playing time or the systems those teams utilized.

Postmedia’s Morris Dalla Costa reported the NBL’s Mississauga Power folded as part of the deal with the Raptors.

Now, things will be very different and with Bruno Caboclo, Lucas Nogueira, DeAndre Daniels and whoever is taken with the No. 20 pick at Thursday’s NBA Draft, along with young Canadian prospects needing precious court time to develop, having the team nearby will prove invaluable.

A month ago, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. president and chief executive officer Tim Leiweke first revealed that a local D-League affiliate would be in place for next season, though Ujiri later walked that back a little bit.