NBA 2k18 Franchise - Now GM of the Pistons

[MKnight82]

Player/Team Options

SG Bradley Chase (85) - $8.65 mil – he’s my starting SG.

PF Stefano Mancini (84) - $3.07 mil – he’s my starting PF.

SF Leonard Dunleavy (79) - $6.27 mil – he’s been starting, not sure if that will continue. He’s a solid player worth keeping regardless. 

SG Zac Chase (73) – no offer – I didn’t draft Chase he was a throw in on a former trade.  I need his minutes for rookie SG Stewart so its time to move on.    

 

Qualifying Offers

C Grant Gray (75) – $2.74 mil – I still like Gray’s long term upside. 

PF Byron Mann (69) – no offer – I didn’t draft him. 

SG Chucky Holland (762) – $2.66 mil – he’s a cheap backup that doesn’t complain about minutes.

 

*CUT*

PF Brent Jinks was cut from the roster as I’m low on roster spots.  The Warriors threw him into our draft day trade.

 

*TRADE*

Brooklyn Nets Receive

C Carson Meeks (81)

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

2030 Nets 1^st Round Pick (top 3 protected)

C Thomas Bryant (77)

 

Meeks helped me make the playoffs last year but I need to give his minutes to Hammond.  Bryant is on an expiring deal and will be cut. 

[MKnight82]

Free Agency

I have one spot available on the roster and would like to add a versatile young defender:

 

Signed SF/SG Roy Graves (74) – 2 years, $5 mil deal – Graves is a prospect I wanted in the draft a few years back, he’s athletic, long and a decent defender. 

 Team Re-signings:

SG Devin Booker – Hornets – 5 years, $203.91 mil

PF Marquese Chriss – Clippers – 4 years, $112.96 mil

SG Arthur Stinson – Knicks – 4 years, $136.01 mil

SG Archie Goodwin – Pelicans – 4 years, $79.12 mil

SG Donovan Mitchell – Jazz – 4 years, $79.39 mil

C Bam Adebayo – Grizzlies – 5 years, $178.21 mil

PG Christian Garrison – Grizzlies – 5 years, $206.59 mil

PF Abe Wooden – Kings – 4 years, $142.28 mil

PF Deyonta Davis –Spurs – 3 years, $63.62 mil

SF Ramon Aguilar – Warriors – 3 years, $76.27 mil

PF Chris McCullough – Clippers – 4 years, $73.41 mil

SG Malik Monk – Grizzlies - $149.94 mil (how much money do they have?)

PF Julius Randle – Thunder – 3 years, $54.69 mil

PG Jeffery Humphries –Hawks – 3 years, $54.65 mil

PF Dillon Nance – Raptors – 4 years, $125.95 mil

C Harold Fortson – Hornets – 4 years, $117.43 mil

PF Jordan Bell – Magic – 3 years, $67.45 mil

PF Rudolph Peeler – Timberwolves – 4 years, $90.95 mil

PF Ivan Rabb – Hornets – 4 years, $86.83 mil

PG Dennis Smith Jr. – Spurs – 4 years, $128.63 mil

PG Jimmy Eisley – Hornets – 3 years, $68.93 mil

SF Mel Grant – Pacers – 3 years, $58.45 mil (good for Mel!)

 

Major Free Agent Signings (Departures):

SF Josh Jackson – Thunder – 4 years, $161.68 mil

C Myles Turner – Rockets – 4 years, $161.42 mil

C Stephen Zimmerman – Magic – 4 years, $110.01 mil

[MKnight82]

Opening Day Roster - Year 12
Position	Name	OVR	Potential	Age	Years Remaining	Badges	Current Annual Salary (mil)
PG	Magnus Norberg	90	A+	23	3	15	$3.69
SG	Bradley Chase	87	A	23	2	9	$8.65
SF	Leonard Dunleavy	82	A	24	2	11	$6.27
PF	Stefano Mancini	83	A	23	2	11	$3.07
C	Julian Hammons	75	A-	21	4	5	$5.76
PG	Sergio Santiago	72	A-	25	3	2	$1.81
SG	Chucky Holland	73	A-	25	1	2	$2.66
SG	Julian Stewart	72	A-	24	4	6	$1.45
SF	Vlado Tarlac	82	B+	27	4	5	$8.93
SF	Roy Graves	78	A-	26	2	3	$2.44
SF	Darren Gale	75	B	27	1	3	$2.03
PF	Ed Hansen	83	B+	31	1	6	$10.39
PF	Toby Clement	79	B	26	1	2	$2.56
C	Grant Gray	76	B+	24	1	7	$2.74
C	Jimmy Landry	76	A	24	3	7	$1.81

 

This is a solid roster with a decent starting lineup and solid bench.  I expect to make the playoffs.  

[MKnight82]

Top 25 Players in the League - Year 12
Rank	Position	Name	Team	OVR	Age
1	SF	Jackson Baldwin	Magic	98	30
2	SG	Dana Saunders	Hawks	97	27
3	PG	Freddie Staples	Lakers	93	31
4	SG	Guy Hood	Mavericks	93	28
5	SG	Ralph Edwin	Rockets	93	21
6	C	Mirko Petrovic	Thunder	92	30
7	C	Karl-Anthony Towns	Timberwolves	92	32
8	C	Leslie Dawson	Nets	91	24
9	PG	Markelle Fultz	76ers	91	30
10	PG	Lonzo Ball	Lakers	91	30
11	PF	CJ Ellis Jr	Bulls	90	28
12	PG	Christian Garrison	Grizzlies	90	30
13	PG	Leo Smith	76ers	90	30
14	PF	Dillon Nance	Raptors	90	29
15	PF	Derek Simon	Suns	90	24
16	PG	Magnus Norberg	Pistons	90	23
17	SF	Odell Shepard	Cavaliers	89	30
18	PF	John Malkmus	Celtics	89	30
19	C	Myles Turner	Rockets	89	32
20	C	Nikola Jokic	Nuggets	88	33
21	SF	Ben Simmons	76ers	88	32
22	SG	Devin Booker	Hornets	88	31
23	PG	Dedric Perkins	Knicks	88	32
24	SF	Felipe Cruz	Suns	88	23
25	SF	Josh Jackson	Thunder	88	31

 

- Only 8 of the top 25 players are IRL players.  

- The league's talent is aging, only 9 of the top 25 are under 30 years old.  

- The scripted 2018 draft class which has dominated the league for years, is down to only 5 representatives in the top 25.  

[MKnight82]

*TRADE*

Atlanta Hawks Receive

PF Ed Hansen (83)

2030 Pistons 2^nd Round Pick

 

Detroit Pistons Receive

C Cheick Diallo (76)

2032 Hawks 1^st Round Pick (unprotected)

 

Ed Hansen had fallen out of my rotation and was complaining about minutes.  Time to move on from him.  Diallo is on an expiring contract and will be cut.

[MKnight82]

Revisiting Every Draft Class so Far

Since I’m now 10 draft classes deep into this thing I figured I’d go back and see how all my former draft picks are doing (Yes I’m in Year 12 but remember I didn’t draft anyone in the first “scripted” draft class).  So let’s take a walk down memory lane. 

 

2019 Draft Class - Bulls
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
4	Lamar Davidson	SG	80	29	Bulls	84
11	Alexi Gornev	PG	70	29	Clippers	84
15	Malik Flowers	C	65	29	Kings	86
29	Mel Grant	SF/SG	65	32	Pacers	82

SG Lamar Davidson

He was my first draft pick in this “universe”, and turned into a very good 3 & D player.  He’s a 3 time NBA champ with the Bulls (two with me as GM), 3 time 1^st Team All NBA Defensive Team, and 1 time 2^nd Team All Defense.  He’s one of the best perimeter defender in the entire league. 

Biggest Moment

Hitting 8 three pointers in the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland to help push me to my first NBA Finals with the Bulls. 

Almost Drafted Instead

PF Greg Drew.  I think he was solid for a while but he’s now out of the league, so I think its safe to say Davidson was the right pick. 

 

PG Alexi Gornev

Gornev stayed in Europe a year before coming over but developed into a decent starting PG for my team that won 2 titles.  He’s since moved on to the Clippers and just made his first All Star game this year.  I ended up not extending his contract before I left the Bulls, and seeing that he just made an All Star game I wonder now if that was a mistake.  Still pretty cool to see him doing well somewhere else though. 

Biggest Moment

Helping the Bulls earn the 1^st Seed in the East Year 7 by being 3^rd on the team in Points, 1^st in Assists, and 2^nd in Steals throughout the regular season. 

Almost Drafted Instead

SG Luther Hart.  He’s a solid 79 OVR now but hasn’t won any awards or titles.

 

C Malik Flowers

I ended up letting Flowers walk in free agency 2 years into my Bulls league when I landed Carson Meeks in a trade (plus I drafted Colin McCarthy), and that looks like it was a mistake.  The thing was, he tore his achilles during Summer Camp of all things in Year 5 and I never really got to play with him much because of that.  Flowers is now one of the best Centers in the NBA, and after coming in as a 65 OVR has had one of the biggest progressions of any player I’ve drafted.  He’s now a 3 time All Star at Center for the Kings, but has yet to win an NBA Title since I traded him away so early. 

Biggest Moment

Scoring 6 points and 10 rebounds against Cleveland in a Round 1 loss during Year 3.   Outside of the Bulls 3 All Star selections.

Almost Drafted Instead

I was also considering SF Mel Grant, who I landed later on anyways. 

 

SF/SG Mel Grant

Grant was always limited physically but developed into a solid role player that played good defense and could play multiple positions.  He struggled in his first playoff games with the Bulls, and I ended up including him in a trade the following year when I traded PF John Collins for a first round pick from the Suns (which turned into backup PG Quinn Hood).  Then he popped back up for me when I signed him my first year as GM of the Pistons.  He started the first two seasons for me there before I traded him away to make room for Chase and Dunleavy.    

Biggest Moment

Two year starter for the Pistons.

Almost Drafted Instead

No one.  I almost took him instead of Flowers but when he fell I pulled the trigger immediately. 

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2020 Draft Class - Bulls
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
9	Tim Morrison	PG/SG	71	28	Bulls	77
17	Al Grace	SF	68	30	Mavericks	82
20	Ed Hansen	PF/C	68	31	Hawks	82

 

PG/SG Tim Morrison

Morrison is a 3 time NBA Champion (all with the Bulls) and still remains with the Bulls since I was able to sign him to a reasonable extension before I left.  I was concerned about the Bulls cap space since I had to sign Ellis Jr. and Davidson to huge contracts, and Meeks was on a rather expensive deal at that point too.  So I extended Morrison and he took over as the Bulls starting PG as Alexi Gornev left the first year that I was gone, and Morrison led the Bulls to another title that year.  He’s never really progressed to a high end starter though.  When I played with the Bulls he primarily ran my 2^nd team offense. 

Biggest Moment

Leading the Bulls to a 3^rd NBA Title as a starter after I left. 

Almost Drafted Instead

SG Monte Clement, 79 OVR.  Clement has developed into a higher OVR player, so its definitely debatable whether he would have been a better selection than Morrison.  Although Morrison filled a bigger need.

 

SF Al Grace

Grace really developed into a heck of a player, he was the last piece of my sick starting defense for the Bulls and was an explosive athlete that could drive to the basket and dunk on people.  He’s also the only player I’ve drafted to be a 4 time NBA Champ (3 with the Bulls, 1 with the Mavericks).  Grace actually was so good that he was a free agent my second year as GM of the Pistons but I passed on him because I thought it would be too easy of a rebuild adding him.  I regret not signing him to an extension with the Bulls before I left because they didn’t retain him after 1 more season.  It would have been cooler to see that core stick around together longer. 

Biggest Moment

Holding Josh Jackson to 8 of 24 shooting in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to clinch the series and my first Title. 

Almost Drafted Instead

SF Mac Carson, 77 OVR.  Carson is solid but Grace is better. 

 

PF/C Ed Hansen

Hansen has always had sick rebounding and defensive attributes but never seems to play up to those rankings.  Maybe its his low awareness, or that he’s undersized, Idk he just has never lit up the stat board.  Yet I’ve always been fascinated with trying to play him inside as a defensive Center lol.  I played him a ton at Center with my 2^nd unit with the Bulls and even brought him in with the Pistons to be an interior defense presence (and he started at Center for me for several years).   He was with me for the 2 NBA titles with the Bulls so I’ll always be grateful for him for that. 

Biggest Moment

Starting at Center for the Pistons for 3 seasons.

Almost Drafted Instead

No one, when Hansen fell I pulled the trigger.

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2021 Draft Class - Bulls
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
1	CJ Ellis Jr.	PF/SF	88	28	Bulls	89
8	Donnie Carlisle	PF/SF	73	32	Bulls	77
9	Quinn Hood	PG	67	31	Timberwolves	79

 

PF/SF CJ Ellis Jr.

Ellis Jr. is the most talented player I’ve drafted as a GM.  He came in as an 88 OVR SF, which I moved to PF because of his size and strength.  He’s become one of the best players in the NBA (he’s currently 11^th in the top 25 players list this season).  Ellis Jr. is pretty much the reason the Bulls have 3 more titles.  He’s a 6 time All Star, won three 2^nd Team All NBA awards and was ROTY. 

Biggest Moment

Scoring 88 points against the Suns to clinch the NBA Title in the Finals.

Almost Drafted Instead

He was the clear cut #1 prospect in his draft class I didn’t consider anyone else. 

 

PF/SF Donnie Carlisle

Carlisle is injury prone which has hampered his development.  My first title with the Bulls Carlisle was out the whole season with a torn ACL.  He did spring back and help my 2^nd title though, and came back and played briefly for me with the Pistons.  Now it appears that he went back and re-signed with the Bulls.  Overall though I feel like Carlisle has been somewhat of a disappointment considering he entered the league with A potential and was a top 10 pick.  However, he was a SF and I moved him to PF so I wonder if that hindered him some.  I basically only ever used him to jack up 3s. 

Biggest Moment

Hitting 8 three pointers against the Hawks in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Year 7. 

Almost Drafted Instead

SG Peja Tarlac, 73 OVR.  This dude seems to have disappointed more than Carlisle. 

 

PG Quinn Hood

I rarely ever played with Hood as when I was playing with the Bulls I had Gornev and Morrison ahead of Hood on the depth chart.  Hood was there as an injury reserve during the regular season when players went down, and a long term solution in case Gornev left.  He’s developed into a better overall player than Morrison at this point and is starting for the Timberwolves.  He was only with the Bulls for two titles before moving on. 

Biggest Moment

I’m not sure he had one with me, starting for the Timberwolves I guess. 

Almost Drafted Instead

I had back to back picks at 8 & 9, so I took two of Carlisle, Hood and Tarlac who I’ve already discussed. 

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2022 Draft Class - Bulls
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
23	Colin McCarthy	C	70	26	Bulls	84
24	Alvin Randle	SF/PF	65		Out of League

 

C Colin McCarthy

McCarthy is probably one of the biggest draft steals I’ve gotten as a GM.  He was projected as a 2^nd Round Pick, but I took him #23 overall.  He had A+ potential as a rookie and was a talented interior scorer.  I used him as one of my primary scorers on my 2^nd unit with the Bulls title winning teams.  He’s a 3 time NBA Champ and just made his first All Star Game this season. 

Biggest Moment

Having 18 points and 14 rebounds off the bench against a very scrappy Celtics team Round 2 of the Playoffs my first title season.

Almost Drafted Instead

SF Sebestyen Marai, 79 OVR.  Looks lik Marai has developed into a pretty solid player but McCarthy just had his first All Star appearance so I think it was a good pick. 

 

SF/PF Alvin Randle

Randle was a solid athlete but never seemed the ability to do anything of merit on the court.  He couldn’t shoot and wasn’t the best defender.  I even picked him up with the Pistons later on and gave him another shot but ended up cutting him.  He’s currently out of the league. 

Biggest Moment

Being on an NBA Roster.

Almost Drafted Instead

SF Coty Palmer, who is also out of the league. 

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2023 Draft Class - Bulls
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
7	Felipe Alvarado	SF/SG	74	26	Grizzlies	80
16	Richie Barry	C	70	25	Bulls	86
30*TRD	Arnold Schroeder	SG	65	27	Bulls	79

 

SF/SG Felipe Alvarado

I didn’t get to play much with this draft class, but Alvarado was in my rotation as my primary backup to Al Grace for my 2^nd NBA Title with the Bulls.  He was extremely athletic and I had planned on him being the successor to Al Grace when he bolted in FA, but the computer didn’t sign Alvarado to an extension after his rookie deal.  He ended up with the Grizzlies where he won a 3^rd NBA Title. 

Biggest Moment

Starting SF for the Grizzlies Title.

Almost Drafted Instead

PG Steven Adkins, 73 OVR.  Pretty clear Alvarado was a better selection. 

 

C Richie Barry

Barry has developed to 86 OVR, and I had assumed he had become the Bulls starting Center, but since McCarthy made the All Star game this year I’m not sure that is the case.  Regardless, at 16 landing a player that has developed this much is a pretty impressive pick.  I never played a game with Barry personally, he was not in my rotation for my 2^nd title run. 

Biggest Moment

None for me, I’m assuming he helped them win their 3^rd title. 

Almost Drafted Instead

C Coby Meekins, 82 OVR.  This is tough, Barry is a higher OVR but Meekins has won a 2^nd Team All NBA Defense award.  Debatable who is better. 

 

SG Arnold Schroeder

Schroeder was never on my active roster with the Bulls because he stayed in Europe for 3 years before coming over.  He progressed rather well though and is a valuable part of their rotation.  Oh, the * next to his draft position is because I technically didn’t draft him at 29, he was already drafted but the team that originally drafted him before me offered him to me for 29. 

Biggest Moment

Finally coming to America?

Almost Drafted Instead

PG Alen Vugrinec, 69 OVR.  He’s 26 years old and still in the G League. 

 

Coming soon, the Pistons drafts......

[JBURGE]

1 minute ago, MKnight82 said:

2 minutes ago, JBURGE25 said:

I enjoyed that

then post in the thread lol.  No one else ever posts in the thread.

I enjoyed this

But seriously, the amount of detail and patience you have is beyond me. I get bored once I win the 2nd title, and I find it challenging to continue 10 years into the future because the readers can have a hard time remembering "fake" players, other than the ones on your team. 

[MKnight82]

33 minutes ago, JBURGE25 said:

I enjoyed this

But seriously, the amount of detail and patience you have is beyond me. I get bored once I win the 2nd title, and I find it challenging to continue 10 years into the future because the readers can have a hard time remembering "fake" players, other than the ones on your team. 

That's why you have to take the time to catalog everything.  That way you remember familiar names down the line, plus you can go back and look at stuff you don't remember.  When I don't post them online like this I lose interest in a few seasons too.  Also all the rules I set makes it more challenging.  

[JBURGE]

11 minutes ago, MKnight82 said:

That's why you have to take the time to catalog everything.  That way you remember familiar names down the line, plus you can go back and look at stuff you don't remember.  When I don't post them online like this I lose interest in a few seasons too.  Also all the rules I set makes it more challenging.  

I mean like me reading this, the only guys in the top 25 players list that I know are the ones you drafted. So when I do it I feel like I need to talk about more players, but it takes so long. I lose interest if it takes me a week to do a season

[MKnight82]

2 minutes ago, JBURGE25 said:

I mean like me reading this, the only guys in the top 25 players list that I know are the ones you drafted. So when I do it I feel like I need to talk about more players, but it takes so long. I lose interest if it takes me a week to do a season

Well I take a lot of breaks.  I started this in December.

[MKnight82]

2024 Draft Class - Pistons
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
24	Vlado Tarlac	SF/PF	67	27	Pistons	83
31	Keith Mitchell	C	68	25	Pacers	75

 

SF/PF Vlado Tarlac

He was my first pick with the Pistons and has progressed well.  He was my 6^th man last year, but since I wanted to add some length and defense to my starting unit he’s actually replaced Dunleavy for now as the starter at the 3.  He’s already jumped 16 OVR points, pretty impressive development for the 24^th pick in the draft. 

Biggest Moment

I’m not going to have a lot of big moments with the Pistons since I’m still building them up.  But Tarlac had an impressive 22 point, 8 rebound game against the 76ers last year in the playoffs. 

Almost Drafted Instead

SG Valmilton Andrade.  This dude is already out of the league, dodged a bullet here. 

 

C Keith Mitchell

Mitchell was on the team as a backup for 3 seasons but was a terrible rebounder so I let him leave in free agency.  He’s currently a backup Center for the Pacers.  He was off the team before I played any user games in the playoffs so I don’t have that much more to say about him. 

Biggest Moment

Draft Day?

Almost Drafted Instead

SG Fidel Padillo, 64 OVR.  Obviously Mitchell has developed into a better overall player, but Padillo probably would have progressed more under me.  Still, Padillo probably would have ended up off the roster too because he was so slow. 

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2025 Draft Class - Pistons
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
8	Magnus Norberg	PG	67	23	Pistons	90
9	Stefano Mancini	PF/SF	74	23	Pistons	87
33	Chucky Holland	SG/SF	60	25	Pistons	74
38	Guy Cardinal	PF	68	27	Pelicans	75

 

PG Magnus Norberg

Norberg didn’t come to America for 2 years, but now that he’s here he’s one of the highest rated players in the league.   He was the 16^th highest rated player in the league at the beginning of this season.  Also, I haven’t posted the All Star break stuff yet for this season, but Norberg was selected to his first All Star game this year.  Still, he’s a limited player because he’s so tiny, and I’ll have to learn how to use him wisely in user games.   I’ve got some ideas for interesting playoff rotations this year. 

Biggest Moment

Elected to the All Star Game in Year 12

Almost Drafted Instead

I considered Stefano Mancici, who I took with the next pick, and SF Jud Kirk.  Kirk has progressed to 79 OVR and is a good player, he just isn’t as good as Norberg.

 

PF/SF Stefano Mancini

Mancini was my 2^nd pick that year, and also didn’t come to America for a season.  These two top 10 picks that stayed in Europe allowed me to continue to tank longer and add more high picks to the roster.  Mancini was drafted as a SF but moved to PF since he’s too slow to play SF, but a solid athlete for PF.  He’s a great scorer in the Pick N Roll, and is working on his defense and rebounding.  I’m surprised him and Norberg have progressed so much, the Euro stashes are a little overpowered if you ask me. 

Biggest Moment

Scoring 28 points and 8 rebounds against the 76ers in last year’s playoffs. 

Almost Drafted Instead

I had back to back picks at 8 & 9, and I was considering Norberg, Mancini, Jud Kirk and SF Roy Graves.  I ended up signing Graves this past offseason as a free agent , and he hasn’t developed anywhere near where these other two ended up so I made the right picks. 

 

SG Chucky Holland

He’s been a solid prospect considering he was a 2^nd round pick that started off at 60 OVR and is now a 74 OVR solid contributor.  He’s still just an injury reserve though, as last year SG Zac Chase was in my playoff rotation and now Julian Stewart will be.  Still, its valuable to have these solid injury backups during the regular season that can give you solid minutes when someone gets hurt.  Plus, he doesn’t complain about his role. 

Biggest Moment

Progressing 14 points OVR

Almost Drafted Instead

In the 2^nd round I usually don’t have a lot of other options.  Holland was my only consideration at the pick. 

 

PF Guy Cardinal

Cardinal lasted on the roster a few years as a Stretch 4 reserve but was such a liability defensively and wanted a contract extension, so I traded him for a future Celtics first round pick (which I haven’t used yet).  I never played with him in a user game. 

Biggest Moment

Turning this mid 2^nd round pick into a future 1^st.

Almost Drafted Instead

No one else was considered. 

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2026 Draft Class - Pistons
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
1	Bradley Chase	SG/PG	75	23	Pistons	88
4	Leonard Dunleavy	SF/SG	74	24	Pistons	82
32	Grant Gray	C	68	24	Pistons	76

 

SG/PG Bradley Chase

It’s tough to decide whether this draft class or the 2025 class has had more of an impact on my current Pistons roster.  The 2025 class gave me two of my highest rated player and my 3^rd highest rated players on the roster, but both are flawed.  If I’m going to win a title anytime soon, this is the class that will likely push me over the top.  Chase was a #1 overall pick, but isn’t anywhere near the pedigree #1s have been in other years.  I also drafted him as a PG and moved him to SG, which at 6’4” he’s a bit undersized for.  Still, he’s the best shooter on my team and a reliable scorer.  Like everyone else on the roster he needs to work on his defense. 

Biggest Moment

Game 1 last year against the 76ers, Chase hit three consecutive 3 pointers to tie the game with 4 seconds to go.  76ers called timeout to move the ball to half court then hit a last second 3 to win the game cause my defense blows. 

Almost Drafted Instead

This was probably the hardest pick I’ve made as a GM in 2k18.  I was also considering PF Felix Herrera, who’s a 82 OVR now and Leonard Dunleavy who I ended up landing later anyways.  Herrera is an undersized banger inside that doesn’t really fit my scheme, but he would have brought a lot of interior defense and rebounding to my team which is my team’s biggest weakness now.  I still think I made the right choice. 

 

SF/SG Leonard Dunleavy

Dunleavy fell to 4, which was surprising because he had the highest Potential rating in that draft class.  He got bullied last year by Ben Simmons because he’s a little undersized for the 3 (a common theme with my Pistons roster) and because he’s just in general a terrible defender.  Long term his best position is probably SG.  Eventually I’ll probably have to make a change since my starting lineup are all pretty much undersized, but for now Dunleavy still has a lot of upside with the second highest Potential rating on the roster and a ton of useful badges. 

Biggest Moment

Scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds in Game 5 last year against the 76ers. 

Almost Drafted Instead

I also considered SF Roland Briggs (now 77 OVR) and PF Taribo Ikedia (76 OVR) at this spot.  Honestly Briggs is probably a better fit with my starting lineup than Dunleavy is, since he’s longer and primarily a defender.  It was probably a mistake taking a pure scorer to fill out my starting lineup.  Briggs was also faster.  Man I probably  screwed that pick up.  I also considered Ikedia, who was a very long Stretch 4 with some intriguing defensive upside.  Both picks probably would have filled bigger needs than Dunleavy. 

 

C Grant Gray

Gray wasn’t in my rotation last year since he was so raw, and he just tore his ACL this year so he won’t be playing with me this playoffs either.  Sucks because he’s my best interior defender on the roster.  I really like him and hope he can get healthy because I think he might stick around as my backup Center long term. 

Biggest Moment

Going from 2^nd rounder to possible rotation player.

Almost Drafted Instead

No one else was considered this late. 

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2027 Draft Class - Pistons
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
25	Sergio Santiago	PG	64	26	Pistons	75
29*TRD	Jimmy Landry	C	67	24	Pistons	77

 

PG Sergio Santiago

I took Santiago because I was looking for a backup PG prospect, but Santiago was so raw coming in that he couldn’t do much for me last year in the playoffs.  He’s now a 75 OVR, but I’m not sure he’ll ever be more than a fringe rotation guy. 

Biggest Moment

Being in the rotation against the 76ers.

Almost Drafted Instead

So I had the 14^th pick in this class, but traded it for C Carson Meeks instead of selecting someone with that pick.  Meeks helped me get to the playoffs for the first time, but I passed on SG Lenny Stinson (74 OVR) and PG Clifford Shaw (73 OVR) for him.  Shaw was a better PG prospect than Santiago, and would have developed more under me.  I got one year out of Meeks.  Looking back that was probably a bad trade. 

 

C Jimmy Landry

I grabbed Landry because in that weak draft there really wasn’t anyone else decent worth taking, he ended up having A Potential.  Still, he’s one of those players that has a high Potential rating and decent OVR but doesn’t really play like it.  I used him as my backup Center against the 76ers and he got abused.  I’m going to develop him a little more and he’ll likely end up trade bait at some point.  I feel like Gray is the better backup Center long term. 

Biggest Moment

Being in the rotation against the 76ers.

Almost Drafted Instead

I didn’t consider anyone else. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2028 Draft Class - Pistons
Draft Pick	Player	Position	Drafted OVR	Current Age	Current Team	Current OVR
1	Julian Hammons	C	73	22	Pistons	77
24	Julian Stewart	SG	68	24	Pistons	74

 

C Julian Hammons & SG Julian Stewart

This draft just happened so there isn’t much to add.  The Julians both fill needs on my team though as both should be plus defenders.  Hammons is currently starting for me at Center.   I passed on PG Alan Brady at 1 for Hammons, who’s currently 77 OVR also, but I wasn’t going to take a backup PG #1 overall.  Too soon to project this class yet. 

[MKnight82]

Top 10 Prospects According to Draft Express - Year 12
DE Rank	Position	Name	Age	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	Badges	OVR	Potential
1	SF	Gilbert Wilks	21	6'10"	250	7'3"	Oklahoma	12	80	A-
2	PG	Desmond George	23	6'2"	197	6'6"	Virgina Tech	9	75	B-
3	SF/SG	Corie Green	19	6'7"	251	6'11"	UCLA	3	76	A-
4	C	Bruno Bagaric	21	7'1"	239	7'3"	Croatia	1	73*1	A+
5	SF	Kyle Kirk	22	6'8"	231	7'1"	Oklahoma St	2	74	A+
6	SF	Jamie Forte	24	6'10"	251	7'0"	Duke	4	72	B-
7	PG	Rudolph Green	23	6'2"	180	6'5"	Arkansas	1	66	B+
8	PG	Donte Washburn	21	6'3"	192	6'3"	Oklahoma St	0	73	B-
9	PF	Doug Hailey	21	6'9"	257	6'10"	Baylor	4	69	A
10	SG	Tracy Tate	21	6'6"	203	6'6"	Southern Methodist	1	72	B-

 

This is a solid but not spectacular draft class.  The top guy Wilks is a really good prospect, he can shoot, has good length and is a decent athlete.  PG Desmond George is an explosive athlete, and Kyle Kirk and Jamie Forte are both solid athletes for wings.  Doug Hailey is an interested Stretch 4 prospect.  A lot of the prospects have interesting badges too.  

[MKnight82]

All Star Break Update

All Star Break Standings
West			East
Seed	Team	Record	Seed	Team	Record
1	Jazz	39-18	1	Magic	37-16
2	Nuggets	37-17	2	76ers	36-19
3	Grizzlies	37-17	3	Raptors	32-23
4	Trailblazers	31-23	4	Bulls	31-22
5	Rockets	31-23	5	Pistons	31-22
6	Timberwolves	28-27	6	Knicks	32-24
7	Mavericks	26-27	7	Cavaliers	29-24
8	Suns	27-29	8	Celtics	25-26
9	Lakers	25-28	9	Heat	26-28
10	Thunder	24-30	10	Pacers	26-30
11	Kings	23-30	11	Wizards	25-29
12	Warriors	20-32	12	Hawks	25-30
13	Spurs	20-34	13	Nets	24-29
14	Pelicans	17-39	14	Hornets	17-36
15	Clippers	13-41	15	Bucks	16-37
*Indicates I have their first round pick

 

I'm in the thick of the playoff hunt but only 6 games ahead of the 8 seed (but only 6 games behind 1st too).  I don't see the need to make any moves at the deadline this year.  

 

*PG Magnus Norberg made the All Star Team.

[MKnight82]

End of the Season – Year 12

 

Final Record 51-31, or 2^nd in the East and 4 games behind first place.  This is the exact same record I had last year but I switched to a rookie Center so I feel pretty good about it. 

 

Final Standings

End of the Season Standings - Year 12
West			East
Seed	Team	Record	Seed	Team	Record
1	Grizzlies	58-24	1	Magic	55-27
2	Nuggets	57-25	2	Pistons	51-31
3	Jazz	54-28	3	76ers	51-31
4	Mavericks	48-34	4	Bulls	48-34
5	Rockets	45-37	5	Cavaliers	47-35
6	Timberwolves	43-39	6	Raptors	45-37
7	Trailblazers	43-39	7	Knicks	44-38
8	Suns	42-40	8	Heat	44-38
9	Kings	39-43	9	Pacers	40-42
10	Lakers	38-44	10	Celtics	37-45
11	Warriors	35-47	11	Hawks	37-45
12	Spurs	32-50	12	Nets	37-45
13	Thunder	31-51	13	Wizards	36-46
14	Pelicans	25-57	14	Hornets	26-56
15	Clippers	21-61	15	Bucks	21-61
*Indicates I have their first round pick

 

 

Individual Player Season Stats

Season Stats - Year 12
Points Per Game		Rebounds Per Game		Assists Per Game		Steals Per Game		Blocks Per Game
SG Bradley Chase	16.3	PF Stefano Mancini	7.5	PG Magnus Norberg	7.5	PG Magnus Norberg	1.5	PG Magnus Norberg	1.2
PF Stefano Mancini	14.0	C Jimmy Landry	6.0	SG Bradley Chase	4.0	SG Bradley Chase	1.1	C Julian Hammons	0.8
SF Leonard Dunleavy	12.6	C Julian Hammons	6.0	PG Sergio Santiago	4.0	C Julian Hammons	0.9	PF Toby Clement	0.7

 

Award Winners

 

MVP – Jackson Baldwin, Magic (10 in a row, this is getting ridiculous)

ROTY – Tudor Stefan, Rockets (11^th pick in the 2026 draft, Euro stash for a few years)

6^th Man of the Year – Jud Hines, Nuggets

Defensive POTY – Jackson Baldwin, Magic

Most Improved Player – Richie Barry, Bulls (wow)

Coach of the Year – Francis Wood, Nuggets

Executive of the Year – Magic GM

 

1^st Team All NBA

G – Freddie Staples, Lakers (2018 #1 pick)

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

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

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

C – Mirko Petrovic, Thunder (2018 #3 pick)

 

2^nd Team All NBA

G – Lonzo Ball, Lakers

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

F – Greg Drew, Cavaliers (2019 #6 pick)

F – Tudor Stefan, Raptors (2026 #11 pick)

C – Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

 

3^rd Team All NBA

G – Alexi Gornev, Clippers (2019 #11 pick, former Bull!)

G – Ralph Edwin, Rockets (2027 #1 pick)

F – Derek Simon, Suns (2024 #3 pick)

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

C – Malik Flowers, Kings (2019 #15 pick, another former Bull!)

 

All Rookie 1^st Team (pick)

F – Tudor Stefan, Ratpors (11 in 2026)

G – Mitchell Gatson, Mavericks (36)

C – Neil Stevenson, Lakers (49)

C – Julian Hammons, Pistons (2)

G – Brett Jones, Spurs (14 in 2026)

 

All Rookie 2^nd Team (pick)

F – Sylvester Floyd, Timberwolves (3)

G – Fredrick Levingston, Kings (21 in 2017)

C – Junior Howell, Celtics (34)

F – Calbert Farley, Spurs (15)

G – Julian Stewart, Pistons (24)

[MKnight82]

Playoff Rotation - Year 12
Rotation Spot	Position	Player Name	OVR	Minutes
Starter	SG/PG	Bradley Chase	89	30
Starter	SF/SG	Leonard Dunleavy	82	28
Starter	SF	Vlado Tarlac	84	28
Starter	PF	Stefano Mancini	88	32
Starter	C	Julian Hammons	78	28
6th Man	PG	Magnus Norberg	91	32
7	C	Jimmy Landry	78	20
8	PG	Julian Stewart	75	16
9	PF	Toby Clement	81	16
10	SF	Roy Graves	81	10
11	SF	Darren Gale	76	0
12	SG	Chucky Holland	75	0
13	PG	Sergio Santiago	75	0
14	C	Grant Gray	Injured	Reserve
15		None

 

Ok this is a weird rotation but hear me out.  The play is to get longer with my starting unit, and this shifts my starting lineup from being 5'9", 6'4", 6'7" 6'9" and 7'0" to this 6'4", 6'7", 6'10", 6'9", 7'0".  Also, Norberg should be able to destroy second units as a one man show, and I've surrounded him with a bunch of defenders to backup him up in the second unit.