NBA 2k23 Franchise - Orlando Solar Bears

[JBURGE]

Welcome to the NBA 2k23 Orlando Solar Bears Franchise. 

https://imgur.com/BZvLAgS 

Orlando and Austin have been granted expansion franchises. I have not relocated the Magic, they still exist, but this was a really cool logo and so realism will have to take a back seat. 

I have run these in the past based on inspo from MKnight, with similar rules, which are as follows:

• No trading up in the draft
• Trades will be done with Trade Finder only
• No more than three 1st round picks a year
• No FAs over 75

The goal is to build a team quickly from CPU players, which means it will be ugly for a few years. I will likely move on from my expansion roster by year 2 to amass as many picks as possible. I will track NBA wide stats and also our sister expansion team, the Wranglers.

https://imgur.com/OYINDOe

Edited July 3, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

Expansion Draft and Coaching Hire

The Orlando Solar Bears have hired Jacob Underwood as the Franchises first head coach. Yay! 

The goal in the expansion draft is to build a team of the best trade assets possible, and then blow that roster up acquiring as many picks as possible. There will unfortunately not be a lot of 1st round picks I will be able to get in the first few years, but I will get a ton of 2nds to build out depth and take shots, and some future 1sts. Hopefully some of these players I draft in the 2nd can turn into future 1sts.

I will also update somewhat on the Wranglers, but I do not plan on following them that closely, unless anyone cares.

Expansion Draft Results

EXPANSION DRAFT - ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS
RANK	POS	NAME	OVR	AGE
1	C	DEANDRE AYTON	84	24
2	C	JALEN DURAN	80	18
3	SF	JONATHAN ISAAC	78	25
4	SG	ISAIAH JOE	78	23
5	PG	DENNIS SCHRODER	77	29
6	PG	JOSE ALVARADO	77	24
7	SG	ALEX CARUSO	76	28
8	PF	NASSIR LITTLE	76	22
9	PF	ISAIAH ROBY	74	24
10	PG	MALACHI FLYNN	73	24
11	SF	KESSLER EDWARDS	72	22
12	SG	EDMOND SUMNER	76	26
13	SF	CEDI OSMAN	75	27
14	C	VERNON CAREY JR	73	21

EXPANSION DRAFT - AUSTIN WRANGLERS
RANK	POS	NAME	OVR	AGE
1	SG	KLAY THOMPSON	86	32
2	C	RUDY GOBERT	84	30
3	PF	JOH COLLINS	81	25
4	PF	SANTI ALDAMA	77	21
5	PG	ANDREW NEMBHARD	77	22
6	SF	GRODON HAYWARD	79	32
7	SF	JAE-SEAN TATE	77	26
8	SG	DERRICK WHITE	80	28
9	C	PAUL REED	76	23
10	PG	DELON WRIGHT	75	30
11	PF	KEITA BATES-DIOP	76	26
12	PG	GABE VINCENT	75	26
13	SF	CHRISTIAN BRAUN	73	21
14	SG	BRANDON BOSTICK JR	74	20

 

Let's blow it up. 

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					TRAILBLAZERS RECEIVE
PF	JERAMI GRANT	83	1 / 21M		C	DEANDRE AYTON	84	4 / 132M
2026 1ST UNPROTECTED (POR)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					WIZARDS RECEIVE
PF	XAVIER COOKS	71	1/1.8M		PG	DENNIS SCHRODER	77	1 / 1.8M
2027 1ST UNPROTECTED (WAS)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					HORNETS RECEIVE
2023 2ND UNPROTECTED (UTA)					SG	ALEX CARUSO	76	2/18.5M
2023 2ND UNPROTECTED (PHI)
2024 2ND UNPROTECTED (BOS)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					SPURS RECEIVE
C	KHEM BIRCH	74	2/13,6M		SF	CEDI OSMAN	74	1.7.4M
2023 2ND UNPROTECTED (SAS)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					SPURS RECEIVE
2023 2ND UNPROTECTED (TOR)					C	DANIEL THEIS	75	2/17.8M
2024 2ND UNPROTECTED (LAL)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					PISTONS RECEIVE
PF	EUGENE OMORUYI	74	1/1.6M		PG	JOSE ALVARADO	77	1/1.6M
2023 2ND UNPROTECTED (DET)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					ROCKETS RECEIVE
C	FRANK KOMINSKY	75	1/1.8M		SG	EDMOND SUMNER	76	1/1.8M
2024 2ND UNPROTECTED (HOU)

This year it is not important who is on the roster, so I am not going to post a roster and waste my time. I will sim the season to the trade deadline and see what else I can do, and look at the draft class.

SOLAR BEARS PICKS
2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
1st	1st	1st	1st	1st
1ST (IND) T10	1ST (LAL)	2nd	1ST (POR)	1st (WAS)
2nd	2nd	2nd (DET)	2nd	2nd
2nd (DET)	2nd (LAL)
2nd (SAS)	2nd (HOU)
2nd (TOR)	2nd (BOS)
2nd (UTA)
2nd (PHI)

 

Edited July 3, 2023 by JBURGE

[THE DUKE]

I would have been a little curious to see how those expansion teams would have done before the trades. I've seen much worse rosters.

[JBURGE]

Mid-Season Break 

Trade Deadline

The Solar Bears are sitting at 18-36 at the break, which is a little better than I was expecting or hoping for. I still have some assets that I would like to sell off. 

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					MAGIC RECEIVE
2024 1ST UNPROTECTED (ORL)					C	JALEN DUREN	81	2/8.5M

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					GRIZZLIES RECEIVE
2025 1st UNPROTECTED (MEM)					PF	ISAIAH ROBY	74	1/1.8M

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					PACERS RECEIVE
C	DANIEL THEIS	75	2/8.7M		PF	JERAMI GRANT	82	1/20.9M
2023 1ST TOP 10 PROTECTED (IND)

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					PISTONS RECEIVE
SG	RODNEY MCGRUDER	73	1/1.8M		C	FRANK KAMINSKY	75	1/1.8M
2025 2ND UNPROTECTED (DET)

This was a bit of overkill, but I will be able to build out my entire roster now from 2 drafts and hopefully have some shots at stars with my own natural picks. 

SOLAR BEARS PICKS
2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
1st	1st	1st	1st	1st
1ST (IND) T10	1ST (LAL)	1ST (MEM)	1ST (POR)	1st (WAS)
2nd	1ST (ORL)	2nd	2nd	2nd
2nd (DET)	2nd	2nd (DET)
2nd (SAS)	2nd (LAL)
2nd (TOR)	2nd (HOU)
2nd (UTA)	2nd (BOS)
2nd (PHI)

Draft Prospects

Let's take a look at this draft class. Just to make this clear, the player comp is their ceiling, and the second part is their floor level.

2023 DRAFT PROSPECTS

NAME

SCHOOL

AGE

OVR

POT

BADGE

HT

WS

WT

INS

MID

3PT

INS D

PER D

PLAY

REB

IQ

PHY

PLAYER COMP

CEILING / FLOOR

1

PF

VINCE RANDOLPH

CINCINNATI

21

80

B-

7

6'9

7'7

236

C+

A+

A-

B

D-

C-

C+

C+

B

JOHN COLLINS

STARTER

2

C

LAMON EVANS III

MICHIGAN STATE

18

79

A-

4

6'11

7'3

243

B

C-

D

B

D+

D+

B+

B-

C+

WILLIS REED

ALL-NBA / STARTER

3

C

BYRON MONROE

GEORGE WASH

22

79

B-

0

7'

7'6

253

C+

C+

B-

B+

D

C-

A

C

B+

DAVE COWENS

ALL-NBA / STARTER

4

SG

OTIS ANDREWS

ARIZONA

19

78

B-

6

6'5

6'10

203

B+

C

B-

C+

B

B-

D+

B-

B+

MALCOLM BROGDON

STARTER

5

SG

LLOYD HICKS

ST JOHN'S

20

75

B

3

6'5

6'10

200

C+

A-

A-

C-

C

C+

C-

C-

B+

DAN MAJERLE

STARTER

6

C

MARION FLETCHER

GEORGE WASH

21

74

A

1

6'11

7'5

252

B+

A-

C

C+

D

C-

B+

C

D+

-

HOF / BENCH

7

PF

JONATHON SHAW

WISCONSIN

18

80

B-

1

6'10

7'

234

B

B-

B-

B+

D+

C-

B-

B-

B

AC GREEN

STARTER

8

C

GLENN HOUSE

MICHIGAN STATE

19

78

A-

4

7'

7'7

249

C+

C-

D+

A

F

D-

A+

C-

C+

WAYNE EMBRY

ALL-NBA / STARTER

9

PG

HERMAN WALL

INDIANA

20

77

C+

4

6'

6'5

187

A-

C+

A-

C-

D

B+

D+

C

B+

STEVE KERR

STARTER

10

C

PAOLO OLIVERIO

ITALY

20

76

B+

0

6'9

7'3

252

B

A-

B-

B

D

C-

B-

C

D+

ENES FREEDOM

STARTER

This is a pretty underwhelming class unfortunately. I am not sure why this game is obsessed with Centers being the best prospects. I am not leaning any way with any of these guys - Vince Randolph is a Stretch 4 with abysmal defense and rebounding. I could move him to SF but he has 38 speed with ball. Gross. 

The one HOF caliber player is a terrible athlete. 

I'll take a better look at these guys when we get to the off-season.

In-Season Contract Extensions

The only player eligible for an extension is Malachi Flynn and he is not interested. 

Edited July 3, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

1 hour ago, THE DUKE said:

I would have been a little curious to see how those expansion teams would have done before the trades. I've seen much worse rosters.

Well the Wranglers team will be untouched, so you can see how they do haha

[JBURGE]

2022 Season

SEASON STANDINGS
WEST					EAST
	TEAM	W	L			TEAM	W	L
1	WRANGLERS	55	27		1	CAVS	59	23
2	WARRIORS	55	27		2	CELTICS	58	24
3	MAVERICKS	52	30		3	76ERS	50	32
4	TRAIL BLAZERS	48	34		4	HAWKS	50	32
5	CLIPPERS	46	36		5	BUCKS	49	33
6	LAKERS	46	36		6	HEAT	48	34
7	THUNDER	46	36		7	BULLS	46	36
8	GRIZZLIES	45	37		8	RAPTORS	40	42
9	NUGGETS	43	39		9	KNICKS	36	46
10	SUNS	43	39		10	PACERS *	36	46
11	PELICANS	42	40		11	NETS	33	49
12	ROCKETS	37	45		12	MAGIC	33	49
13	KINGS	34	48		13	WIZARDS	31	51
14	TIMBERWOLVES	29	53		14	HORNETS	29	53
15	JAZZ	25	57		15	SOLAR BEARS	26	56
16	SPURS	19	63		16	PISTONS	23	59

@THE DUKE well there are certainly worse rosters than the Wranglers I guess... If Duren had been traded earlier I probably would have had a top 3 odds at the 1st pick, but oh well. 

No team stats, as I said I will start this next season with drafted players. 

Season Awards

SEASON AWARDS
		PLAYER	TEAM	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	FT%	3P%
MVP	PG	LUKA DONCIC	MAVERICKS	32.2	11.2	10.5	1.8	0.5	51.8%	85.4%	43.4%
ROY	C	JALEN DUREN	MAGIC	19.5	10.3	1.2	0.6	1.5	66.2%	64.7%	0.0%
6th MAN	PG	JOHN WALL	BULLS	17.6	2.7	6.2	0.9	0.3	49%	66%	31.7%
DPOY	PF	EVAN MOBLEY	CAVS	15.1	11.7	2.5	1	2.5	49.1%	67.8%	29.3%
MOST IMPROVED	SF	JONATHAN ISAAC	SOLAR BEARS	11.4	8.3	1.3	2.1	1.8	37.4%	74.9%	32.5%
COTY		JB BICKERSTAFF	CAVS

ALL NBA 1st TEAM
G	LUKA DONCIC	MAVERICKS
G	SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER	THUNDER
F	GIANNIS ANTETOKOUMNMPO	BUCKS
F	LEBRON JAMES	LAKERS
C	NIKOLA JOKIC	NUGGETS
ALL NBA 2nd TEAM
G	STEPH CURRY	WARRIORS
G	TRAE YOUNG	HAWKS
F	JAYSON TATUM	CELTICS
F	KEVIN DURANT	SUNS
C	JOEL EMBIID	76ERS
ALL NBA 3rd TEAM
G	JAMES HARDEN	76ERS
G	DONOVAN MITCHELL	CAVS
F	JIMMY BUTLER	HEAT
F	KRISTAPS PORZINGIS	WIZARDS
C	ANTHONY DAVIS	LAKERS
DEFENSE 1st TEAM
G	LONZO BALL	BULLS
G	LUKA DONCIC	MAVERICKS
F	EVAN MOBLEY	CAVS
F	GIANNIS ANTETOKOUMNMPO	BUCKS
C	ANTHONY DAVIS	LAKERS
DEFENSE 2nd TEAM
G	SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER	THUNDER
G	MIKAL BRIDGES	NETS
F	JONATHAN ISAAC	SOLAR BEARS
F	KRISTAPS PORZINGIS	WIZARDS
C	MYLES TURNER	PACERS
ROOKIE 1st TEAM
C	JALEN DUREN	MAGIC
F	PAOLO BANCHERO	MAGIC
C	WALKER KESSLER	WRANGLERS
G	JADEN IVEY	PISTONS
C	MARK WILLIAMS	HORNETS

Playoffs

The Austin Wranglers follow the Golden Knights and made the Finals in their first season, losing to the Celtics in 6 games. Jaysom Tatum was the FInals MVP. 

NBA CHAMPIONS
YEAR	TEAM	FINALS MVP
2022	CELTICS	JAYSON TATUM

 

[JBURGE]

2023 Off-Season

I will only be announcing retirements if there is a team jersey retirement or HOF induction, of which there are none this year.

I will also not be instituting any new league rules.

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY				DRAFT ORDER
	TEAM	ODDS		TEAM		TEAM
1	SPURS	13.9%		1	PACERS	17	TRAILBLAZERS (NY)
2	KNICKS (DET)	13.8%		2	NETS	18	RAPTORS
3	JAZZ	13.7%		3	WIZARDS	19	NETS (PHX)
4	SOLAR BEARS	12.2%		4	JAZZ	20	LAKERS
5	SPURS (CHA)	9.6%		5	SPURS	21	THUNDER (LAC)
6	JAZZ (MIN)	9.5%		6	PISTONS	22	ROCKETS (OKC)
7	THUNDER (WAS)	6.0%		7	SOLAR BEARS	23	THUNDER (MIA)
8	NETS	5.9%		8	HORNETS	24	BULLS (POR)
9	MAGIC	5.8%		9	JAZZ (MIN)	25	ROCKETS (MIL)
10	KINGS	2.8%		10	MAGIC	26	JAZZ (PHI)
11	SOLAR BEARS (IND)	1.8%		11	KINGS	27	HAWKS
12	ROCKETS	1.0%		12	ROCKETS	28	KNICKS (DAL)
13	LAKERS (NO)	1.0%		13	PELICANS	29	WRANGLERS
14	THUNDER (DEN)	1.0%		14	NUGGETS	30	WARRIORS
15	GRIZZLIES	1.0%		15	GRIZZLIES	31	PACERS (CLE)
16	MAGIC (CHI)	1.0%		16	MAGIC (CHI)	32	PACERS (BOS)

What a crock of ****! This is one of the most random lotteries I have seen. Top 3 picks had 1.8%, 5.9% and 6%, and of course I had the Pacers pick at 11 with a top 10 protection and they win the lottery. And my pick is demoted 3 spots. 

Major bummer. 

[JBURGE]

2023 NBA Draft

Picking 7, I really do not know who will be available, but here are the top 10 players again. I also have a problem with 4 picks in the 1st next year with Indiana's pick protected this year. I will trade the Pacers pick from 2024 to 2026 since I am unable to trade the Lakers. 

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					PACERS RECEIVE
2026 1st UNPROTECTED (IND)					2024 1st UNPROTECTED (IND)

SOLAR BEARS PICKS
2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
1st	1st	1st	1st	1st
1ST (IND) T10	1ST (LAL)	1ST (MEM)	1ST (POR)	1st (WAS)
2nd	1ST (ORL)	2nd	1ST (IND)	2nd
2nd (DET)	2nd	2nd (DET)	2nd
2nd (SAS)	2nd (LAL)
2nd (TOR)	2nd (HOU)
2nd (UTA)	2nd (BOS)
2nd (PHI)

 

2023 DRAFT PROSPECTS

NAME

SCHOOL

AGE

OVR

POT

BADGE

HT

WS

WT

INS

MID

3PT

INS D

PER D

PLAY

REB

IQ

PHY

PLAYER COMP

CEILING /  FLOOR

1

PF

VINCE RANDOLPH

CINCINNATI

21

80

B-

7

6'9

7'7

236

C+

A+

A-

B

D-

C-

C+

C+

B

JOHN COLLINS

STARTER

2

C

LAMON EVANS III

MICHIGAN STATE

18

79

A-

4

6'11

7'3

243

B

C-

D

B

D+

D+

B+

B-

C+

WILLIS REED

ALL-NBA / STARTER

3

C

BYRON MONROE

GEORGE WASH

22

79

B-

0

7'

7'6

253

C+

C+

B-

B+

D

C-

A

C

B+

DAVE COWENS

ALL-NBA / STARTER

4

SG

OTIS ANDREWS

ARIZONA

19

78

B-

6

6'5

6'10

203

B+

C

B-

C+

B

B-

D+

B-

B+

MALCOLM BROGDON

STARTER

5

SG

LLOYD HICKS

ST JOHN'S

20

75

B

3

6'5

6'10

200

C+

A-

A-

C-

C

C+

C-

C-

B+

DAN MAJERLE

STARTER

6

C

MARION FLETCHER

GEORGE WASH

21

74

A

1

6'11

7'5

252

B+

A-

C

C+

D

C-

B+

C

D+

HOF / BENCH

7

PF

JONATHON SHAW

WISCONSIN

18

80

B-

1

6'10

7'

234

B

B-

B-

B+

D+

C-

B-

B-

B

AC GREEN

STARTER

8

C

GLENN HOUSE

MICHIGAN STATE

19

78

A-

4

7'

7'7

249

C+

C-

D+

A

F

D-

A+

C-

C+

WAYNE EMBRY

ALL-NBA / STARTER

9

PG

HERMAN WALL

INDIANA

20

77

C+

4

6'

6'5

187

A-

C+

A-

C-

D

B+

D+

C

B+

STEVE KERR

STARTER

10

C

PAOLO OLIVERIO

ITALY

20

76

B+

0

6'9

7'3

252

B

A-

B-

B

D

C-

B-

C

D+

ENES FREEDOM

STARTER

I don't expect to be getting a cornerstone player here, but I need to at least fine a solid starter. I also don't draft old players

First picks are simmed: The Pacers take C Lamond Evans, the Nets take Glenn House, the Wizards Marion Fletcher, the Jazz Byron Monroe, Spurs Jonathon Shaw, and the Pistons take RJ Knox. That leaves a board of:

2023 DRAFT PROSPECTS

NAME

SCHOOL

AGE

OVR

POT

BADGE

HT

WS

WT

INS

MID

3PT

INS D

PER D

PLAY

REB

IQ

PHY

PLAYER COMP

CEILING / FLOOR

1

PF

VINCE RANDOLPH

CINCINNATI

21

80

B-

7

6'9

7'7

236

C+

A+

A-

B

D-

C-

C+

C+

B

JOHN COLLINS

STARTER

4

SG

OTIS ANDREWS

ARIZONA

19

78

B-

6

6'5

6'10

203

B+

C

B-

C+

B

B-

D+

B-

B+

MALCOLM BROGDON

STARTER

5

SG

LLOYD HICKS

ST JOHN'S

20

75

B

3

6'5

6'10

200

C+

A-

A-

C-

C

C+

C-

C-

B+

DAN MAJERLE

STARTER

9

PG

HERMAN WALL

INDIANA

20

77

C+

4

6'

6'5

187

A-

C+

A-

C-

D

B+

D+

C

B+

STEVE KERR

STARTER

10

C

PAOLO OLIVERIO

ITALY

20

76

B+

0

6'9

7'3

252

B

A-

B-

B

D

C-

B-

C

D+

ENES FREEDOM

STARTER

12

SG

JOHAN LARSSON

SWEDEN

22

76

C+

2

6'6

6'9

236

C+

B

A+

C

D+

C+

C-

C-

A-

TERRY TEAGLE

STARTER / BENCH

13

PF

KELJIN DAVIDSON

SERBIA

22

73

A

0

7'2

7'2

235

C+

C-

C

B

D

D

B+

C-

C+

SPENCER HAYWOOD

ALL-NBA / BENCH

14

PF

FRANKIE HOWARD

NOTRE DAME

20

76

B+

1

6'10

6'10

241

C+

B

B

B

D

D

B

C+

C-

LARRY JOHNSON

ALL-STAR / STARTER

15

SF

DONELL BASS

LSU

19

72

B

2

6'9

7'

229

B-

A-

B-

B-

D

C+

C+

B-

B+

ALEX ENGLISH

ALL-NBA / BENCH

16

SG

HARISS BACU

ROMANIA

22

77

B

0

6'6

6'9

220

C

A-

B

D+

D+

C+

D+

C

B

MITCH RICHMOND

ALL-NBA / BENCH

I tend to disqualify older players from early 1st round picks, especially in the early years of a franchise. Also, I have a good scouting department that I trust, and so I am not looking under a B- in potential. Players with red disqualifiers will more than likely never be picked, unless there are really no other options. Also I do not like Centers under 6'11 and with poor physical traits. 

I really don't love Vince Randolph's profile - he is more of a 6th man to be with his defence and rebounding, and he is too slow to play SF. Otis Andrews is a good player who will need to develop a shot, but definitely a better player than Hicks. 

Frankie Howard and Donell Bass are lower rated prospects that are both more boom or bust. Howard is a worse version of Randolph, and I just can't take the risk on Bass. I have a slew of 2nd rounders I can take shots on. 

Edited July 3, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

The first draft pick in Solar Bears history is..

 

1.7 / SG / Otis Andrews

https://imgur.com/mo8fJyu 

Otis is a good athlete (85 speed, 92 speed with ball), and will hopfully develop into a plus scorer. Plus Otis is a cool name! 

I can find big men anywhere in this title, and I like paying small guys and refilling big men through the draft. 

I have 6 picks in the 2nd round, let's sim to those. 

Edited July 8, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

Utah ended up taking Randolph at 9. 

I actually have 4 picks in a row at the top of the 2nd round - 1 through 4, and then pick 14 and 27. 

2023 DRAFT PROSPECTS

NAME

SCHOOL

AGE

OVR

POT

BADGE

HT

WS

WT

INS

MID

3PT

INS D

PER D

PLAY

REB

IQ

PHY

PLAYER COMP

CEILING / FLOOR

20

C

JOSE MENDEZ

BOSTON COLLEGE

19

75

B+

3

7'

7'1

238

C-

B+

D+

A

F

D-

A

D+

C-

WAYNE EMBRY

ALL-STAR / BENCH

21

PG

JD TURNER

ST BONA-VENTURE

21

72

B-

3

6'2

6'4

199

C+

C+

C

B-

A

C+

C+

B-

A

MR RICH-ARDSON

ALL-STAR / BENCH

23

SG

SAMMY FLOYD

LA SALLE

21

75

B-

1

6'5

6'6

202

A-

B+

C

C

C+

C+

D+

C

A-

DAN MAJERLE

ALL-STAR / BENCH

24

PG

RAYNARDO DELGADO

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

20

71

B-

4

6'0

6'5

177

B-

C+

D+

C-

C+

B+

D

B-

A-

REGGIE THEUS

ALL-STAR / BENCH

25

SG

BERNIE GOODEN

TEXAS A&M

20

74

C

3

6'6

6'11

222

C-

C+

A+

C

C+

C+

D

B-

C+

VINNIE JOHNSON

STARTER / BENCH

40

C

CHRISTIAN KELLY

NEVADA

21

73

B-

2

7'

7'

277

C

C-

D+

B+

D

D-

A

D+

C-

WAYNE EMBRY

ALL-NBA / BENCH

56

SF

PATRIC BRADLEY

SYRACUSE

20

73

C

0

6'8

7'1

210

B-

C-

D+

C+

B-

D+

C+

C

A

BRUCE BOWEN

ALL-STAR / BENCH

58

PF

JIM SLAUGHTER

MINNESOTA

22

C+

B+

?

6'10

7'

205

C+

C

D

A-

D

D

B

C-

C+

TERRY CUMMINGS

ALL-STAR / BENCH

62

SF

OWEN FRANKLIN

PROVIDENCE

22

C-

B+

?

6'8

7'

220

C-

C+

D-

D+

C+

C+

D+

C+

D+

PURVIS SHORT

STARTER / BENCH

 

4 picks here and at least a few of them are obvious. I don't want to draft too many SG's, but they could turn into a trade chip. 

Mendez and Turner are clear picks. 

2.1 / C / Jose Mendez

2.2 / PG / JD Turner

2.3 / C / Christian Kelly

2.4 / SG / Bernie Gooden

I went with the upside picks in Kelly and Gooden, they have lower potentials, but they have badges. Kelly is better than Mendez is now, but I suspect year 2 Mendez will pass him. They might end up just being flipped for a future 2nd if they don't work out.

I am hoping that Patric Bradley makes it so I can take the only SF I really like.

2.14 / SG / Sammy Floyd

2.27 / SF / Wally Waters

Really nothing else worth taking. Taking a shot here on an 18 year old with B potential.

 

I leave this draft with every position except PF, which is fine as I have a ton of picks next year too. I will see what I can add in the UDFA market. All in all, not a great haul of guys, but will be solid depth for a few years and maybe one of these guys can develop into a starter. 

2023 DRAFT CLASS
PICK	POS	NAME	OVR	AGE	POT
1.7	SG	OTIS ANDREWS	78	19	B
2.1	C	JOSE MENDEZ	72	20	B+
2.2	PG	JD TURNER	72	21	B-
2.3	C	CHRISTIAN KELLY	74	21	C
2.4	SG	BERNIE GOODEN	73	21	C+
2.14	SG	SAMMY FLOYD	73	22	B
2.27	SF	WALLY WATERS	72	19	C

Edited July 8, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					LAKERS RECEIVE
SF	MAX CHRISTIE	71	1/1.7M		PF	NASSIR LITTLE	76	4/28M
2025 2nd (LAL)

I need to get rid of some players to sign this draft class. This didn't help, but I will be making a handful of cuts to players I traded for last year. 

Player Options

The Solar Bears have Accepted player options for the following players:

• SFJonathan Isaac
• PG Malachi Flynn
• SF Kessler Edwards (??) 

I plan on trading Isaac for a 1st round pick in 2025 if I can. 

2023 Free Agency

I'll be looking for some UDFA or 2nd round picks who were cut to fill out my roster. I have plenty of money to spend on these young players if needed. 

SOLAR BEARS FREE AGENCY
	PLAYER	OVR	AGE	TERM	VALUE
C	GUSTAVO HERNANDEZ	73	18	2	$4,200,000
PF	LANCE WRIGHT IV	75	22	2	$6,870,000
PF	JIM SLAUGHTER	72	22	2	$4,980,000
PG	RAYNARDO DELGADO	71	20	2	$2,000,000
PF	PATRICK RUSSELL	74	20	2	$9,020,000
SF	RON HOLLAND	73	20	2	$3,700,000

Slaughter and Delgado were players I wanted to draft, so I am happy I could pick them up in free agency. Patric Bradley also ended up being released, but he chose to sign with the Suns.

LEAGUE FREE AGENCY
	PLAYER	OVR	TEAM	TERM	VALUE
SG	KYRIE IRVING	91	MAVERICKS	4	$190,750,000
PG	JAMES HARDEN	91	76ers	4	$191,950,000
PF	KRISTAPS PORZINGIS	87	WIZARDS	4	$148,420,000
SF	KHRIS MIDDLETON	86	ROCKETS	3	$92,110,000
]C	BROOK LOPEZ	85	PISTONS	3	$69,520,000
PG	FRED VANVLEET	84	RAPTORS	4	$92,300,000
PG	DEANGELO RUSSELL	84	SPURS	3	$88,450,000
PF	MILES BRIDGES	83	KINGS	2	$55,470,000
PG	SPENCER DINWIDDIE	83	NETS	3	$51,840,000
SF	KYLE KUZMA	83	ROCKETS	2	$42,400,000
PF	DRAYMOND GREEN	83	THUNDER	3	$74,030,000

 

TRADE
SOLAR BEARS RECEIVE					LAKERS RECEIVE
SF	JONATHAN ISAAC	79	1/17.4M		SF	DOUG MCDERMOTT	74	1/13.8M
SF	MAX CHRISTIE	71	1/1.7M		2025 1st UNPROTECTED (SAS)

I ended up signing a fair amount of forwrds in free agency, so I can move on from Isaac. This gives me a likely lottery pick in 2025. The Trade Finder offered me a 2024 1st but I just changed it to a 25 1st. McDermott was released after the trade. 

[MKnight82]

1. None of your pics are showing up for me.

2. What badges do the guys you drafted have?

[JBURGE]

54 minutes ago, MKnight82 said:

1. None of your pics are showing up for me.

2. What badges do the guys you drafted have?

Can you tell me if it is working now?

SG Otis Andrews: 

• Pro Touch
• Green Machine
• Ankle Breaker
• Hyperdrive
• Quick First Step
• Interceptor

C Jose Mendez:

• Backdown Punisher
• Fearless Finisher
• Break Starter

PG JD Turner:

• Clamps
• Menace
• Off-Ball Pest

C Christian Kelly:

• Rise Up
• Brick Wall

SG Bernie Gooden:

• Pro Touch
• Catch & Shoot
• Corner Specialist

SG Sammy Floyd:

• Acrobat

I will figger out a better way to post this later

Edited July 4, 2023 by JBURGE

[JBURGE]

2023 Season

The plan this year is obvious - with the worst roster in the league we are going for draft capital. We also own the Lakers and Magic's 1st's so let's hope for multiple top 10 picks. 

SOLAR BEARS ROSTER
Position		PLAYER	OVR	AGE	MIN
PG		JD TURNER	72	22	29
SG		OTIS ANDREWS	78	19	35
SF		RON HOLLAND	73	20	29
PF		LANCE WRIGHT IV	75	22	29
C		CHRISTIAN KELLY	74	21	26
6	PF	PATRICK RUSSELL	74	21	26
7	SG	BERNIE GOODEN	73	21	20
8	C	JOSE MENDEZ	72	20	18
9	SG	SAMMY FLOYD	73	22	18
10	PG	RAYNARDO DELGADO	71	20	10
11	C	GUSTAVO HERNANDEZ	73	19	0
12	PF	JIM SLAUGHTER	72	22	0
13	SF	WALLY WATERS	72	19	0
RES	PG	MALACHI FLYNN	73	25	0

I don't plan on making any deadline trades so I will blow through this season withiout taking a mid-year break. Next Off-Season (or the next) I will start posting the top players in the league. Would rather wait until we have some movement among the younger and CPU generated players. 

[MKnight82]

1 hour ago, JBURGE said:

Can you tell me if it is working now?

yes