NBA 2K21 Franchise - Pistons GM

[MKnight82]

All Star Participants - Year 4
Team Giannis				Team Luka
Starters				Starters
Player	Position	Team		Player	Position	Team
Trae Young	PG	Hawks		Luka Doncic	PG	Mavericks
Bradley Beal	SG	Wizards		Stephen Curry	PG	Lakers
Anthony Davis	PF	Lakers		Jayson Tatum	SF	Celtics
Giannis Antetokounmpo	SF	Bucks		Zion Williamson	PF	Pelicans
Nikola Jokic	C	Rockets		Joel Embiid	C	76ers
Reserves				Reserves
James Harden	SG	Bulls		Damian Lillard	PG	Trailblazers
Karl Anthony Towns	C	Timberwolves		Kawhi Leonard	SF	Clippers
Nikola Vucevic	C	Magic		Ja Morant	PG	Grizzlies
Bam Adebayo	C	Heat		Deandre Ayton	C	Suns
Devin Booker	SG	Suns		Jaren Jackson Jr	PF	Kings
Lamelo Ball	PG	Hornets		Jaylen Brown	SG	Celtics
Domantas Sabonis	PF	Pacers		John Collins	PF	Hawks

[THE DUKE]

Had to take Vernie there, you need all sorts of offense and he looks like a modern day Allen Iverson.  Considering his A+ potential and his entire scoring game was already A+, perhaps his defense will round into form after a few years?  I don't know the 2K mechanics all that well, but he is an athlete, so perhaps. 

[MKnight82]

Top 10 Prospects According to Draft Express - Year 4
DE Rank	Position	Name	Age	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	Badges	OVR	Potential
1	C	Bryan Solomon	18	7'0"	224	7'5"	High School	7	84	A+
2	PF	Perry Randolph	20	6'9"	202	7'3"	Drake	0	75	A+
3	SF/SG	Rabiu Christopher	21	6'8"	236	6'7"	Nigeria	0	79	A+
4	PG	Christopher Blair	20	6'0"	189	6'6"	Alabama	5	77	B+
5	SG	Ross Bayless	18	6'4"	191	6'8"	High School	4	74	A+
6	SG	Antonio Madison	22	6'4"	225	6'9"	Loyola	4	73	A+
7	C	Lonnie Flowers	20	6'11"	220	7'2"	Seton Hall	3	72	A
8	SG	Joseph Dunn	19	6'6"	208	7'0"	Wisconsin	3	76	A+
9	PF	Calvin Manis	21	6'8"	228	7'2"	Florida	2	76	A
10	PF	Brian Moreland	19	6'10"	251	6'8"	Maryland	3	78	A-

 

This is an absolutely incredible draft class.  Beyond these 10 there are 9 more players with at least A- potential rating.  

 

 

 

 

 

TRADE DEADLINE UPDATE

Ok so I'm a pathetic 22-34 at the deadline, which is somehow 4 games better than last year but still sucks.  The problem too is I have some young players ending their contracts, so I'm going to get more expensive next year.  Killian Hayes, Precious Achiuwa, Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey are all free agents.  None of them were willing to sign an extension before the deadline to do so, so they all will be hitting free agency.  I think they'll all be RFAs though?  So its not like they can just walk if I want to match.  I know Hayes wanted a very strong contract in the range of $25 mil per year.  I can't remember what the others wanted.  

 

I tried shopping Marcus Smart but I can't get any offer that doesn't include me taking on future salary.  His $13 mil expiring is more valuable to me right now than another pick.  I guess I'm just going to stay put this year at the deadline.  The goal is to get in the offseason, try to get everyone resigned, I have 3 firsts in this upcoming draft that can fill out the bench, then hopefully be a playoff team next year.  

 

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by MKnight82

[MKnight82]

So I just realized that the stupid rule change the cpu did for the league, changing the shot clock to 35 seconds, is KILLING the league's sim stats.  The top scorers in the league are averaging like 21 points a game, and the top scoring offenses in the league are only scoring like 83 points per game.  I need to figure out a way to change the shot clock back to normal.  

[MKnight82]

End of the Season – Year 4

Final Record 32-50, 14th place in East, and 24 games out of first place.  2 games better than last year.  

 

Season Stats

 

Season Stats - Year 4
Points Per Game		Rebounds Per Game		Assists Per Game		Steals Per Game		Blocks Per Game
SG Alec Vernie	14.2	C Precious Achiuwa	8.8	PG Killian Hayes	5.8	SF Dana Cox	0.9	C Precious Achiuwa	1.3
PG Killian Hayes	12.7	SF Dana Cox	4.5	SG Alec Vernie	3.1	C Precious Achiuwa	0.9	PF Rickey Stone	0.7
C Precious Achiuwa	10.2	PF Saddiq Bey	4.2	SG Marcus Smart	1.6	PG Killian Hayes	0.9	SF Dana Cox	0.5

So I've been crushing my players for their stats, not realizing the 35 second shot clock was ruining everything.  My scoring still isnt great, but Precious was 4th in the NBA in rebounds.  There was only 1 player in the league with over 10 rebounds per game.  Killian Hayes was 6th in the league in assists.  Cox, Precious and Hayes are all in the top 30 in league in steals.  Why is my team so bad then?  Its got to be my bench.  Let me look at total team stats.  So I was 3rd to last in the league in scoring, and 10th in the league in points allowed.  Scoring is still my problem.  So doing the math, my starters averaged 52.4 ppg, and my bench averaged 22.3 ppg.  I think I need to upgrade the scoring off of my bench. 

 

Final Standings

 

End of the Season Standings - Year 4
West			East
Seed	Team	Record	Seed	Team	Record
1	Nuggets	50-32	1	Wizards	56-26
2	Timberwolves	49-33	2	Hornets	51-31
3	Mavericks	46-36	3	Magic	49-33
4	Spurs	46-36	4	76ers	48-34
5	Grizzlies	45-37	5	Hawks	47-35
6	Kings	43-39	6	Celtics	44-38
7	Thunder	42-40	7	Bulls	39-43
8	Suns	41-41	8	Pacers	38-44
9	Waririors	40-42	9	Knicks	37-45
10	Rockets	39-43	10	Cavaliers	37-45
11	Jazz	38-44	11	Nets	37-45
12	Lakers	38-44	12	Heat	35-47
13	Trailblazers	35-47	13	Raptors	35-47
14	Clippers	34-48	14	Pistons	32-50
15	Pelicans	31-51	15	Bucks	28-54
*Indicates I have their first round pick

I should end up with 2 really good draft picks.    

 

Award Winners

MVP – Luka Doncic, Mavericks (his 4th in a row)

ROTY – Alec Vernie, Pistons (wooo)

6^th Man of the Year – Cole Anthony, Magic

Defensive POTY – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

Most Improved Player – Kevin Hervey, Trailblazers 

Coach of the Year – Scott Brooks

 

1^st Team All NBA

G – Luke Doncic, Mavericks

G – Ja Morant, Grizzlies

F – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

F – Jayson Tatum, Celtics

C – Bam Adebayo, Heat

 

2^nd Team All NBA

G – Trae Young, Hawks

G – Lamelo Ball, Hornets

F – Zion Williamson, Pelicans

F – Anthony Davis, Lakers

C – Joel Embiid, 76ers

 

3^rd Team All NBA

G – Stephen Curry, Lakers

G – Damian Lillard, Trailblazers

F – Jaren Jackson Jr, Kings

F – Domantas Sabonis, Pacers

C – Nikola Jokic, Rockets

 

All Rookie 1^st Team

G – Alec Vernie, Pistons (#1)

F – Mike Justice, Bulls (#10)

G – Gilberto Conti, Thunder (#17)

G – Mauchung Su, Warriors (#6)

G – Donte Elliot, Pacers (#4)

 

All Rookie 2^nd Team

G – Ken O'Connor, Thunder (#2)

F – Richard Geiger, Trailblazers (#7)

G – Clyde Cox, Clippers (#3)

G – Rob Hardaway, Bucks (#17)

F – Todd Nixon (#14)

Edited February 6, 2021 by MKnight82

[MKnight82]

Offseason Happenings

The #3 seed Magic won the NBA Championship over the #8 seed Suns. (Crazy playoffs).  

Nikola Vucevic won Finals MVP (and I made fun of them extending him). 

Notable Retirements: Chris Paul, Louis Williams, Al Horford

Staff Retirements: Rick Carlisle, Tom Thibodeau, Sidney Lowe

HOF Inductees: Chris Paul

Jersey Retirements: Chris Paul (Clippers #3, 2011-2017), Chris Paul (Pelicans #3, 2005-2011, 2022-2024)

League Meetings: Ok we have changed the shot clock back to 24 seconds.  whew.  

[MKnight82]

Draft Lottery

I have the #3 & #6 odds in this draft. The Pelicans have 3 lottery picks!  The top 5 odds are:

1.       Pelicans via Bucks(14.0%)

2.       Pelicans (14.0%)

3.       Pistons (14.0%)

4.       Thunder via Clippers (12.5%) I'm assuming Thunder can choose to swap for this if they want?  

5.       Trailblazers (10.5%) 

Who’s it going to be…..

Ooooo, after my lotto luck last year it didn't work out this time.  My picks fell to 6 & 8.  The Pelicans pick via Bucks fell to 5.  Ouch, the Pelicans pick fell to 4.  The Warriors jumped up and grabbed 3.  The Trailblazers landed 2.  And the Miami Heat have won the lottery.  

[MKnight82]

Current Staff - Year 5
CFO	Assistant GM	Head Coach	Assistant Coach	Head Scout	Trainer
Andrew Moore	Owen Masters	Logan Schmidt	Deon Blount	Kuba Gooding	Sean Lee
2 years - $800k	1 years - $750k	1 year - $5.25	2 years - $900k	1 year - $500k	1 year - $400k
Business - B+	Contracts - A-	Offense - B+	Offense - B	Scouting - A	Training - B+
Potential - B	Trading - B	Defense - B+	Defense - B-	Potential - A	Potential - B+
	Potential - C	Potential - B	Potential - B
Previous Staff
CFO	Assistant GM	Head Coach	Assistant Coach	Head Scout	Trainer
Andrew Moore	Owen Masters	Logan Schmidt	Deon Blount	Kuba Gooding	Sean Lee
3 years - $800k	2 years - $750k	2 years - $5.25	3 years - $900k	2 years - $500k	2 years - $400k
Business - B+	Contracts - A-	Offense - B	Offense - B-	Scouting - A	Training - B+
Potential - B	Trading - B	Defense - B+	Defense - B-	Potential - A	Potential - B+
	Potential - C	Potential - B+	Potential - B+

[MKnight82]

2024 NBA Draft

Draft Picks

Round 1 – 6 overall

Round 1 - 8 overall

Round 1 - 27 overall

 

I have 3 firsts.  The only position I feel like I don't need is PG.  Pretty much everything else is fair game.  I guess I could consider trading up but I really like the idea of exiting this class with 3 new players for struggling bench.  

 

There's no surprise who's going #1 overall, C Bryan Solomon (82) goes to the Heat.  UGH SG Joseph Dunn (77) goes #2 overall to the Trailblazers, he was the top guy I wanted.  Great size, great shooter.  Crap.  The Warriors take SG Ross Bayless (73) at 3.  He's very young with A+ potential.  Pelicans take Center Lonnie Flowers at 4.  SF Rabiu Christopher goes 5.  I'm on the clock.   

So really I need to consider two players here, because I pick again at 8.  But here's who's available at 6:

 

 

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
3	PG	Christopher Blair	6'0"	189	6'6"	Alabama	77	B+
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
B+	C+	B	D-	B-	B+	D-	B+	A-

Ok I know I said no PGs but hear me out.  Blair has 89 LQ, 92 SPD, 95 ACC & 98 VERT.  He's more of a slasher, but a solid perimeter defender, and his passing and basketball IQ are top notch.  He has the Ankle Breaker, Handles for Days, Stop & Go, Unpluckable and Pick Dodger badges.  The idea would be let Killian Hayes walk, install Blair at PG and continue with Vernie at SG.  The downsides are his B+ potential rating, and the fact that I think Vernie long term needs to end up at PG.  Blair is a good prospect though.  

 

 

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
4	SG	Antonio Madison	6'4"	225	6'9"	Loyola	73	A+
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
A-	A+	B+	D-	D	C-	D-	C-	B+

Madison is a great athlete (83 LQ, 99 SPD, 97 ACC, 99) with good length for a 2 guard.  He can shoot, but that's about it.  He has the Acrobat, Catch & Shoot, Difficult Shots, and Downhill badges.  He looks to be an excellent offensive spark plug.  His A+ potential is fantastic too.  I could use him off of the bench for a few years, then move Vernie to PG and plug in Madison at the 2.  Only issue with that is both are weak defenders.  

 

 

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
11	PF/C	Omer Kerimoglu	6'11"	227	7'7"	Turkey	76	A-
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
A-	C+	B+	C-	D-	D-	C	C	B+

This guy.  He's got a 7'7" wingspan with 65 LQ, 78 SPD, 62 ACC, and 99 VERT.  The guy has a 7'7" wingspan and has freaking 99 vertical leap.  Oh wait, and he can shoot 3s!  This is nuts.  His only badge is Contact Finisher but who cares.  He's my ideal pick at 8.  Heck I'm considering him at 6.  

 

So obviously there are other players available but these are the 3 guys that stand out.  I honestly feel like Blair is the BPA, but PG was the 1 position I didn't want to go with at 6.  So I think what I'm going to do is take Kerimoglu here at 6, and if the CPU takes one of the Guards they will have decided for me.  

 

With the 6th Pick in the NBA Draft the Detroit Pistons Select:

PF/C Omer Kerimoglu, Turkey

 

He may end up my starting PF.  Saddiq Bey is going to want a lot of money and this guy should be able to take his stretch 4 role.  

 

and Christopher Blair goes 7.  Welp.  Guess we know who's going 8.  

 

With the 8th Pick in the NBA Draft the Detroit Pistons Select:

SG Antonio Madison, Loyola

 

It wouldn't surprise me if he ends up the top scorer on my bench very quickly.

 

Ok I don't pick again until 27.  

 

With the 27th Pick in the NBA Draft the Detroit Pistons Select:

C Louie Hudson, Illinois

 

 

DE Rank	Position	Name	Height	Weight	Wingspan	School	OVR	Potential
16	C	Louie Hudson	7'0"	268	7'6"	Illinois	74	A-
INS	MID	3PT	INS D	PER D	PLMK	REB	IQ	PHYS
B+	D-	C	B-	D-	D-	A-	C-	C+

I could use a backup Center because I'm not sure I'm going to resign Isaiah Stewart.  He's a traditional big with size that can play interior defense and rebound.  He only has 53 LQ, 57 SPD, 51 ACC, 80 VERT.  He has the Dropstepper and Brick Wall badges.  

 

I might regret passing on Blair but I think all 3 of these guys will contribute.  

 

Edited February 13, 2021 by MKnight82

[MKnight82]

SF Fausto Garibaldi has come over from Italy and is ready to play in the NBA.

[MKnight82]

Player/Team Options

PF Rickey Stone (80) - $6.32 mil - He was my first draft pick.

SF Dana Cox (80) - $6.50 mil - he's my starting SF.

 

Qualifying Offers

SF Deividas Sirvydis (75) - $2.79 mil - he seems too solid to just let walk

C Isaiah Stewart (81) - declined - I like him but I drafted a cheaper replacement.  

SG Wilson Singleton (73) - $3.85 mil - he's ok depth. 

PF Saddiq Bey (80) - $6.60 mil - I feel like I can trade him for something.  

C Precious Achiuwa (83) - $6.60 mil - I'm going to try to sign him to a long term extension.  

PF Wenyen Gabriel (72) - declined – time to move on.

PG Killian Hayes (85) - $9.94 mil - he's going to get a long term extension offer too.  

PF Devontae Cacok (74) - declined - time to move on.  

SG Damien Jones (74) - $3.15 mil - I still like him as depth.  

[MKnight82]

Free Agency

I don't know what happened with Killian Hayes and Precious.  I had them both agree to massive long term extensions, then after the 3 day whatever early FA period they both just signed their 1-year offering sheet instead.  So they're both still with me but I'll have to go through this again next year.  Plus next year they won't be RFA.  Seems like a glitch.  

Everyone else signed their qualifying offers.  

 

Major Contract Signings:

C James Wiseman – Warriors – 4 years, $126.78 mil

PG Lamelo Ball - Hornets - 4 years, $152.13 mil

SG Anthon Edwards, Timberwolves - 4 years, $126.78 mil

C Onyeka Okongwu, Hawks - 4 years, $123.61 mil

PF Tobias Harris, 76ers - 4 years, $100.58 mil

PF Pascal Siakam, Raptors - 5 years, $223.49 mil

SG Devin Booker, Suns - 5 years, $199.36 mil

C Kristaps Porzingis, Mavericks - 5 years, $190.59 mil

SF Isaac Okoro, Cavaliers - 4 years, $130.33 mil

SF Devin Vassell, Spurs - 5 years, $147.40 mil

SG Jaylen Brown, Rockets - 4 years, $152.13 mil (interesting)

PF Domantas Sabonis, Magic - 4 years, $124.70 mil (very interesting, they were just in finals)

SF Deandre Hunter, Kings - 4 years, $96.11 mil

C Mohamed Bama, Jazz - 4 years, $102.71 (wait what?)

 

[MKnight82]

Wow so SF Fausto Garibaldi came over from Italy to join my roster, then he immediately dislocated his left patella in Summer League and is out for the entire season.  

[MKnight82]

Top 25 Players in the League - Year 5
Rank	Position	Name	Team	OVR	Age
1	PG	Luka Doncic	Mavericks	97	25
2	PF	Giannis Antetokounmpo	Bucks	96	29
3	SF	Jayson Tatum	Celtics	94	26
4	C	Nikola Jokic	Rockets	94	29
5	PG	Trae Young	Hawks	93	26
6	PG	Ja Morant	Grizzlies	92	25
7	PF	Anthony Davis	Lakers	92	31
8	PG	Stephen Curry	Lakers	92	36
9	SG	Bradley Beal	Wizards	92	31
10	C	Jamal Towns	Cavaliers	91	22
11	C	Joel Embiid	76ers	91	30
12	PF	Zion Williamson	Pelicans	91	24
13	PG	Lamelo Ball	Hornets	90	23
14	PF	Jaren Jackson Jr.	Kings	90	25
15	PF	Kevin Durant	Nets	90	36
16	C	Deandre Ayton	Suns	90	26
17	PF	John Collins	Hawks	89	27
18	SG	Zach Lavine	Raptors	89	29
19	SG	Jaylen Brown	Rockets	89	28
20	SG	Anthony Edwards	Timberwolves	89	23
21	PG	Ben Simmons	76ers	89	28
22	SF	Kawhi Leonard	Clippers	88	33
23	C	Bam Adebayo	Heat	88	27
24	SG	Donovan Mitchell	Jazz	88	28
25	PF	Pascal Siakam	Raptors	88	30

[Neumatic]

10 minutes ago, MKnight82 said:

Wow so SF Fausto Garibaldi came over from Italy to join my roster, then he immediately dislocated his left patella in Summer League and is out for the entire season.