There was a Gatorade League component in the early planning stages of the Detroit Pistons’ move downtown.

And Wayne State University could be part of the conduit to bring minor-league basketball to Detroit.

The Wayne State Board of Governors is expected to look at a proposal Wednesday to approve building a new basketball facility that could also house the Pistons’ G-League team, two sources told the Free Press late Tuesday night.

The project is projected to cost $25 million and will be located at the corner of Warren and Trumbull, a source added.

The Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ current affiliate, plays at the DeltaPlex in Walker.

The contract between the Pistons and the Drive is for two more seasons and if the Board approves the proposal, the Pistons could put a G-League team in Detroit n the near future.

The Drive is currently owned by Steve Jbara, so Pistons owner Tom Gores (or another Detroit group) could purchase the Grand Rapids franchise or attempt to land an expansion team.

The news is another development in the Pistons’ impact on downtown development since the announcement in November 2016 that the Pistons were leaving northern Oakland County after nearly 30 years to play in then under-construction Little Caesars Arena.

The Pistons have played the last two seasons at LCA, but still train at the practice facility on Palace property.

The $90-million Henry Ford and Detroit Pistons Performance Center is under construction in the New Center area south of Grand Boulevard and is scheduled to open in September.

Initial building plans allowed for room to house the G-League team.

Significant portions are complete with elevator installation scheduled to begin within the next two weeks.

The building will house the Pistons, franchise business operations, a sports medicine clinic, dining and retail.

Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.