Even if the NBA is locked in a labor shutdown next fall, there will still be D-League basketball.

NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN.com that a work stoppage would not prevent the league from keeping its 16-team minor league operational.

"We intend to operate the NBA Development League next season independent of the status of NBA collective bargaining," Silver said.

The NBA's current labor agreement with its players expires June 30, 2011 and a lockout has been widely regarded as inevitable.