NBA 2k18 Franchise - Now GM of the Pistons

[MKnight82]

Player/Team Options

SF Vlado Tarlac (77) – $1.91 mil – Good backup.

PF Guy Cardinal (70) - $1.96 mil – I want to keep developing him.

SG Chucky Holland (65) - $2.02 mil – cheap depth 

 

Qualifying Offers

C Keith Mitchell (72) - $2.70 mil – he’s a decent prospect.  If someone makes him an offer I’ll let him walk though. 

PG Wayne Davidson (79) - $2.70 mil – either he or Quinn will start this year if they stay. 

PG AJ Quinn (77) - $3.09 mil – these guys have to hold down the fort 1 more year before Norberg comes over. 

[MKnight82]

*CUT*

I had to cut SF Alvin Randle because I had too many players on my roster.  I tried to find a trade for him but couldn't find a deal where I didn't take on another player.  He wasn't part of my long term plans anyways.  

[MKnight82]

Free Agency

I have too many players on the roster already so I won’t be signing anyone this year. 

  

Major Contract Signings:

PF Anthony Davis – Pelicans – 5 years, $204.18 mil

PG D’Angelo Russell – Warriors – 5 years, $215.11 mil

C Thon Maker – Bucks – 4 years, $135.41 mil

C Ivica Zubac – Wizards – 4 years, $102.01 mil

C Jarrett Allen – Pacers – 3 years, $75.27 mil

SF Al Grace – Mavericks – 3 years, $55.89 mil (former Bull)

SF Theo Chase – Hornets – 5 years, $147.99 mil

SG Billy Watkins – Lakers - 4 years, $94.25 mil

C Nerlens Noel – Trailblazers - 4 years, $103.02 mil (yikes)

PG Kris Dunn –Clippers – 3 years, $53.51 mil

SF Jaylen Brown – Clippers – 4 years, $97.22 mil

C Henry Ellenson – Bucks – 3 years, $52.65 mil (why?)

SG Desmond Saunders – Grizzlies – 3 years, $55.19 mil

C Skal Labissiere – Pacers – 3 years, $51.75 mil

[MKnight82]

Opening Day Roster - Year 10
Position	Name	OVR	Potential	Age	Years Remaining	Current Annual Salary (mil)
PG	Wayne Davidson	80	B	24	1	$2.70
SG	Bradley Chase	78	A	21	4	$6.24
SF	Leonard Dunleavy	75	A	22	4	$4.52
PF	Stefano Mancini	79	A-	21	4	$2.21
PF	Ed Hansen	81	B+	29	1	$4.19
PG	AJ Quinn	78	B-	24	1	$3.09
SG	Brent Saunders	79	B	30	1	$2.62
SG	Chucky Holland	67	A	23	1	$2.02
SF	Vlado Tarlac	79	B+	25	2	$1.91
SF	Darren Gale	72	C+	25	3	$1.71
PF	Donnie Carlisle	78	B+	29	1	$2.56
PF	Jeff Walsh	73	B-	25	1	$1.91
PF	Guy Cardinal	72	B	25	1	$1.96
C	Keith Mitchell	74	B	23	1	$2.70
C	Grant Gray	69	B+	22	2	$1.13
PG	Magnus Norberg	77	A+	21	1*till USA	N/A

 

I doubt this roster makes the playoffs but things are starting to look better.  I have 4 new starters this year, and Norberg will arrive next year.  I'm going to start Dunleavy just to help his progression, but I've been really happy with how Tarlac has developed.  I really need to find a true starting Center in next year's draft.  

[MKnight82]

Top 25 Players in the League - Year 10
Rank	Position	Name	Team	OVR	Age
1	SF	Jackson Baldwin	Magic	98	28
2	SG	Dana Saunders	Hawks	96	25
3	PG	Leo Smith	76ers	94	28
4	C	Karl-Anthony Towns	Timberwolves	93	30
5	C	CJ Ellis Jr.	Bulls	93	26
6	PG	Freddie Staples	Lakers	93	29
7	C	Mirko Petrovic	Thunder	93	28
8	PG	Christian Garrison	Grizzlies	92	28
9	PG	Markelle Fultz	76ers	92	28
10	PF	Dillon Nance	Hornets	92	27
11	SG	Guy Hood	Mavericks	92	26
12	SG	Lamar Davidson	Bulls	91	27
13	PG	Lonzo Ball	Lakers	91	28
14	PF	Anthony Davis	Pelicans	90	33
15	C	Nikola Jokic	Nuggets	90	31
16	PG	Kyrie Irving	Spurs	90	34
17	SF	Odell Shepard	Cavaliers	89	28
18	PG	D'Angelo Russell	Warriors	89	30
19	PF	John Malkmus	Celtics	89	28
20	PF	Lauri Markkanen	Celtics	89	29
21	C	Stephen Zimmerman	Grizzlies	89	30
22	C	Myles Turner	Hornets	89	30
23	C	Diamond Stone	Warriors	89	29
24	SF	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Bucks	89	31
25	SF	Josh Jackson	Pelicans	88	29

 

- Did you know Karl-Anthony Towns doesn't turn 30 until 2026?  That's insane.  

- The league's talent seems to be holding up well compared to previous versions of the game.  There isn't as much high end elite talent, but there's just around the same 89+ players as when I started this.  The first time I posted this list all 25 players were 89+, now there are 24.  But there were 5 players 95+ then, now there are only 2.  

[MKnight82]

Top 10 Prospects According to Draft Express - Year 10
DE Rank	Position	Name	Age	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	Badges	OVR	Potential
1	SG/SF	Ralph Edwin	20	6'8"	218	7'5"	Colorado	11	88	A
2	SG	Simon Howell	21	6'7"	209	6'6"	Purdue	7	78	B+
3	PG	Jesse Newsome	21	6'2"	180	6'8"	Oregon St	3	73	B+
4	SF	Shannon Carlisle	22	6'8"	250	7'2"	Alabama	1	73	A
5	C	Gregory Simon	19	7'0"	250	7'6"	Arizona St	4	78	A-
6	SG	Paulo Paulista	23	6'4"	208	6'11"	Brazil	1	74	B+
7	SF/SG	Cecil Gale	22	6'8"	218	7'3"	Penn St	3	72	B
8	SF/PF	Derek Carpenter	22	6'8"	231	6'11"	Loyola	1	73	B-
9	PG/SG	Devin Sanders	22	6'4"	198	6'7"	UNLV	1	70	B-
10	SG	Rod Brown	19	6'5"	210	6'8"	Arizona St	0	71	B+

 

Oh come on! Why couldn't this have been last year's draft class when I won the lottery!  Ralph Edwin is a monster.  He super long and has 99 SPD, 87 ACC and 92 LQ.  At 88 OVR he'll be one of the best players in the league within a year.  I was hoping there would be a bunch of good Center prospects in the top 10, but there's only one.  Luckily he's pretty good, so good that he could possibly go in the top 3.  The rest of the group has some solid athletes but not a lot of good shooters in this group.  

[MKnight82]

All Star Break Standings
West			East
Seed	Team	Record	Seed	Team	Record
1	Jazz	37-17	1	Magic	39-16
2	Mavericks	37-17	2	Hornets	34-19
3	Nuggets	37-30	3	Celtics	32-21
4	Grizzlies	34-19	4	Cavaliers	32-21
5	Kings	32-20	5	Raptors	31-20
6	Suns	25-29	6	Hawks	32-22
7	Thunder	25-30	7	Bulls	29-24
8	Lakers	24-29	8	Knicks	29-26
9	Clippers	25-31	9	Pistons	28-25
10	Pelicans	24-30	10	Nets	25-30
11	Warriors	23-30	11	Wizards	21-32
12	Timberwolves	23-31	12	Bucks	22-34
13	Trailblazers	23-31	13	Heat	20-34
14	Spurs	18-38	14	76ers	20-36
15	Rockets	12-42	15	Pacers	17-36
*Indicates I have their first round pick

 

I'm right in the playoff hunt.  Unfortunately I'm not tracking for any high lottery picks, but the Bucks pick could be top 10.  There's no reason for me to make a bunch of noise at the trade deadline this year, but I might look for someone who could help my playoff push.  I've been having some injuries at PG, and with only 2 on the roster it has been a problem.  

[JBURGE]

Happy to follow again! You might want to switch the blue you are using for the standings, can't read the black text easily. or change the text in those boxes to white

you got screwed by the draft class, Edwin lmao

[MKnight82]

TRADE DEADLINE

 

*TRADE*

Orlando Magic Receive

PF Jeff Walsh (74)

2029 2^nd Round Pick

2030 2^nd Round Pick

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

SG Zac Chase (69)

2027 Magic 1^st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

 

Walsh isn’t in my rotation and I have a bunch of PFs, so I put him on the block.  No one offered me a PG, but Chase is a good athlete and should be able to contribute at both Guard spots.  He still has 3 years left on his rookie deal too (he was the 29^th pick in 2025).  I didn’t ask for a first round pick but they threw one in.  It’ll probably be either 29 or 30^th pick in the draft though. 

[MKnight82]

1 minute ago, JBURGE25 said:

Happy to follow again! You might want to switch the blue you are using for the standings, can't read the black text easily. or change the text in those boxes to white

you got screwed by the draft class, Edwin lmao

Is that better?

[MKnight82]

End of the Season – Year 10

 

Final Record 39-43, or 9^th in the East and 17 games behind first place.  Man I just missed out on the playoffs.  Still, big improvement from last year and I have a very young team.   

 

Final Standings

End of the Season Standings - Year 10
West			East
Seed	Team	Record	Seed	Team	Record
1	Mavericks	55-27	1	Magic	56-26
2	Grizzlies	53-29	2	Hornets	51-31
3	Jazz	52-30	3	Celtics	51-31
4	Nuggets	52-30	4	Bulls	51-31
5	Kings	49-33	5	Cavaliers	51-31
6	Clippers	39-43	6	Hawks	48-34
7	Thunder	39-43	7	Knicks	46-36
8	Suns	38-44	8	Raptors	44-38
9	Timberwolves	36-46	9	Pistons	39-43
10	Lakers	36-46	10	Nets	36-46
11	Trailblazers	36-46	11	Bucks	35-47
12	Pelicans	31-51	12	Heat	34-48
13	Spurs	28-54	13	76ers	34-48
14	Warriors	27-55	14	Wizards	31-51
15	Rockets	24-58	15	Pacers	28-54
*Indicates I have their first round pick

 

The Thunder have dominated the West for several years but they had a bunch of injuries this year.  The Jazz have done well since they stole PG Alexi Gornev from the Bulls.  That 4 way tie in the East is crazy. 

 

Player Season Stats

Season Stats - Year 10
Points Per Game		Rebounds Per Game		Assists Per Game		Steals Per Game		Blocks Per Game
SG Bradley Chase	14.0	PF Ed Hansen	6.6	PG Wayne Davidson	3.9	PG Wayne Davidson	1.3	PF Ed Hansen	1.2
SF Leonard Dunleavy	12.2	PF Stefano Mancini	5.7	SG Bradley Chase	3.3	SG Bradley Chase	1.3	SG Brent Saunders	1.1
PF Stefano Mancini	12.2	SF Leonard Dunleavy	4.1	PG AJ Quinn	2.5	SG Brent Saunders	1.0	C Keith Mitchell	1.1

 

My scoring was led by 3 rookies.  My rebounds are terrible, I need to work on that.  Assists are really low too.  

 

Award Winners

MVP – Jackson Baldwin, Magic (Dude has won 8 in a row, he averaged 40.7 PPG this season)

ROTY – Junzhe Yee, Pacers (bummer)

6^th Man of the Year – Pat Madison, Nuggets

Defensive POTY – Jackson Baldwin, Magic

Most Improved Player – Deon Chapman, Rockets

Coach of the Year – Fred Hoiberg, Magic

Executive of the Year – Magic GM

 

1^st Team All NBA

G – Freddie Staples, Cavaliers (2018 #3 pick)

G – Christian Garrison, Grizzlies (2020 #1 pick)

F – Jackson Baldwin, Hawks (2018 #1 pick)

F – Odell Shepard, Cavaliers (2018 #4 pick)

C – Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

 

2^nd Team All NBA

G – Lonzo Ball, Lakers

G – Guy Hood, Mavericks (2023 #1 pick)

F – Jabari Parker, Rockets

F – Lauri Markkanen, Celtics

C – Leslie Dawson, Nets (2025 #2)

 

3^rd Team All NBA

G – Joshua Stinson, Wizards (2021 #3 pick)

G – D’Angelo Russell, Warriors

F – Ben Simmons, 76ers

F – John Malkmus, Celtics (2018 #5 pick)

C – Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

 

All Rookie 1^st Team (pick)

G – Junzhe Yee, Pacers (2)

G – Bradley Chase, Pistons (1)

G – Tyson Battle, Timberwolves (39)

F – Stefano Mancini, Pistons (14 in 2025)

F – Ted Dean, Spurs (41)

 

All Rookie 2^nd Team (pick)

F – Leonard Dunleavy, Pistons (4)

G – Arnold Schroeder, Bulls (23 in 2023) – I actually drafted this guy, he took 3 years to come over.

F – Rolando Briggs, Raptors (19)

F – Pablo Batistuta, 76ers (41 in 2023)

F – Matthew Soto, Warriors (46)

[MKnight82]

Offseason Happenings

The #1 seed Mavericks won the NBA Championship over the #3 seed Celtics.  (the Bulls knocked out the Magic, and the Celtics then beat the Bulls) 

SG Guy Hood won Finals MVP.

Notable Retirements: Deandre Jordan, Kevin Love, Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio, CJ McCollum

Staff Retirements: None

HOF Inductees: None

Jersey Retirements: None

 

Year 11 Budget

Player Payroll - $104.76 mil

Staff Payroll - $11.00 mil

Arena Operations - $4.01 mil

Team Operations - $27.25 mil

Promotions - $2.50 mil

[MKnight82]

Draft Lottery

I really only have 1 lottery selection this year, my own at 14 (0.5% odds) as the Bucks pick is top 10 protected.  The top 5 odds are:

1.       Rockets (25.0%)

2.       Warriors (19.9%)

3.       Spurs (15.6%)

4.       Pacers (11.9%)

5.       Pelicans (8.8%)

Who’s it going to be…..

My pick held at 14.  The Bucks pick 9^th so they keep their pick this year.  All picks went accordingly up to 3.  The Spurs have the #3 pick, the Warriors are 2, and the Rockets won the lottery. 

I have picks 14, 25 & 29 in this draft. 

[JBURGE]

1 hour ago, MKnight82 said:

Is that better?

mucho bueno

[MKnight82]

2027 NBA Draft

Draft Picks

Round 1 – 14 overall

Round 1 – 25 overall

Round 2 – 29 overall

 

I really need a Center, but this is a terrible Center draft.  Honestly its so bad other than the top Center prospect (who will go top 5) I don’t think its worth it to take one with any of my picks. My plan is just to go BPA and I’ll have to figure out Center later. 

Another need is a solid backup PG as Davidson and Quinn are FAs, and weren’t drafted by me in the first place.  I feel pretty good about SG and SF.

The Rockets take SG Ralph Edwin #1 overall, he’s an amazing prospect I’m jealous.  SG Simon Howell goes #2 overall to the Warriors, he’s 80 OVR with B+ potential and A Athleticism.  Both of those guys would have gone #1 last year.  #3 is SF Shannon Carlisle to the Spurs, he’s 74 OVR with B+ potential.  The Nets have traded up to #4 and select PG Jesse Newsom, he’s pretty good at 74 OVR and A+ potential.  Surprised he fell to 4 honestly.  #5 is also traded, the Warriors have gotten another top 5 pick and select C Gregory Simon.  Noooooo, he’s the only good Center in this class. 

Time to sim to my pick. 

Here’s the top players available at 14:

 

SG Lenny Stinson

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
17	SG	Lenny Stinson	6'5"	192	6'8"	Baylor	72	B+
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
C	B	A	D-	D-	C	D+	C	C-

He’s a good shooter and decent size, but his athleticism isn’t ideal (74 SPD, 63 ACC, 58 LQ).  His defense needs work and he isn’t the best passer.  Honestly he’s a good shooting prospect but I feel like I have several players on my roster already like him.  I’m looking for defense, rebounding and passing in this draft.  This guy gives me none of that.  He does have the Limitless Range and Tireless Scorer badges, and his potential rating is pretty good. 

 

PG Clifford Shaw

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
20	PG	Clifford Shaw	6'1"	180	6'5"	Louisville	69	C+
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
C-	B	D-	F	C-	B-	D+	B-	C+

Shaw projects as a solid backup, he can do a little bit of everything and with (81 SPD, 77 ACC, 74 LQ) is serviceable athletically.  He has the Dimer badge, so he should be a good passer and his defense isn’t that bad. He can’t really shoot though and his potential rating is mediocre. 

 

C Jimmy Landry

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
22	C	Jimmy Landry	7'0"	261	7'6"	Missouri	67	A-
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
D-	D-	F	C	D-	D-	B+	C-	D

Landry is the 2^nd best Center in the draft, which isn’t saying much.  He’s a decent rebounder and OK interior defender, but that’s literally all he can do. His athleticism (61 SPD, 44 ACC, 53 LQ) is poor.  He has the Bruiser and Charge Card badges, which are solid but I’d prefer he had the Rim Protector badge.  His potential rating is one of the highest left in the draft though. Honestly he’s so raw he isn’t going to help me anytime soon and I don’t feel like he offers me anything I don’t already have on the roster. 

 

TRADE OPTIONS

I’ve also been offered this rather intriguing trade I think I have to consider:

 

Chicago Bulls Receive

#14 overall

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

C Carson Meeks (79)

2030 2^nd Round Pick

 

I feel like SG Stinson is the BPA.  Shaw fills a need but really isn’t special, and Landry feels like a reach.  In my mind, it comes down to taking Stinson or making the trade with the Bulls.  I’m sick of not making the playoffs, and Center is such a big Need I feel like I have to make the trade with the Bulls.    

*TRADE*

Chicago Bulls Receive

#14 overall

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

C Carson Meeks (79)

2030 2^nd Round Pick

 

Meeks has 2 years left on his deal and gives me time to find a starting Center.  He should help me make a push for the playoffs this year. 

 

The Bulls took Shaw at 14 lol.  Solid pick.  Stinson went 17^th to the Clippers.  I’m on the clock again at 25:

Jimmy Landry is still available but I want to consider who else is on the board. 

 

PG Sergio Santiago

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
22	PG	Sergio Santiago	5'11"	170	6'2"	Mexico	64	B
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
D	B	C+	D-	C	C+	D+	C	C

Santiago is another small PG, but his 78 SPD, 65 ACC, 79 LQ is solid for this part of the draft and he can do a little bit of everything. I think he’s a solid backup PG prospect.  Honestly, after the trade for Meeks backup PG is a bigger need for me than another mediocre Center prospect. 

 

With the 25^th pick in the NBA draft the Detroit Pistons select:

PG Sergio Santiago, Mexico

I feel like this is a pick that will pay off down the road.  Fills a big need.        

 

Landry went with the very next pick.  I’ve got one more pick at 29. 

There’s really no one I want here at 29. I went and looked for potential trades and the Utah Jazz hilariously offered me this straight up for 29:

 

*TRADE*

Utah Jazz Receive

29^th overall pick

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

C Jimmy Landry (67)

That caps a pretty uninspired draft.  I filled some needs but definitely didn’t add anyone of consequence. 

 

UPDATE

WOAH.  Jimmy Landry actually has A+ potential!