Roster Expansion? / G-League?

[Deleted]

As I watch Preseason basketball, I can't help but see a number of prospects and 2-way contract players that are free agents here that I would love to take a chance on. But with a total roster size of 12 it's just not possible to take those low-risk/high-reward chances on prospects. 

I realize it might be early to start this conversation but I would love to hear what other GM's think about expanding the roster size.

I also would like to know what you guys think about adding G-League roster spots too. Kind of like the "inactive" roster spots we have now, but reserved for guys who haven't spent too much time in NBA: rookies, overseas players coming to NBA for the first time, draft-and-stash dudes, 2way players, G-League studs. 

With all of you guys being so knowledgable about the game and the league I feel like there is room for this and it would make the league even better than it already is. 

In case you wonder what I think would work, I think since this league mimics the NBA to such a high degree, I would propose 15 active spots with a 12 man minimum, 1 or 2 IR spot, and 2 G-League spots for guys under 82 games played. I don't imagine the Commissioner would like this suggestion too much as it would create more to do and keep track of, but I think it would increase competitiveness, parity, engagement, and fun in the league. 

[Deleted]

There is only really a 7 rotation for most of the season, but I still love this idea

[NAUHurdler]

I think the most simplistic thing would be to add 2 additional IR spots. This would allow more players overall to be owned but would still require GMs to get creative with their actual active roster.

[Deleted]

Just throwing in my 2 cents - large rosters in these types of leagues reduce player movement and owners lose interest. Seen multiple leagues die that each had rosters that were too big. If you want to take a flyer on a G League guy, then use a roster spot on them. Simple as that.

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2018 21:17:09 GMT -5 @ewetzel said:

large rosters in these types of leagues reduce player movement and owners lose interest

Curious to know how roster size would cause this. Genuinely interested because I haven't been in a 30 team league before and can't wrap my head around how this would happen, unless there were unengaged GMs and best players became consolidated by a handful of active knowledgeable GMs. In that case roster size wouldn't matter.

[TrailDucker]

We've discussed this, It hasn't seemed practical yet because we have trouble really filling all our roster spots as it is, but the NBA only the last couple seasons has really began using the G-League effectively which makes it more of an option then only a couple seasons ago. The logistics of how it can be used though need to be discussed.

If the league were to ever expand to 32 teams (something I think it SHOULD be, the talent level is there to). Then there very will be some for sure roster adjustments to make.

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2018 22:20:39 GMT -5 TrailDucker said:

We've discussed this, It hasn't seemed practical yet because we have trouble really filling all our roster spots as it is, but the NBA only the last couple seasons has really began using the G-League effectively which makes it more of an option then only a couple seasons ago. The logistics of how it can be used though need to be discussed.

If the league were to ever expand to 32 teams (something I think it SHOULD be, the talent level is there to). Then there very will be some for sure roster adjustments to make.

I agree on the 32 teams. And Seattle needs the Sonics back. We all need the Sonics back. 

53% of players in the NBA last season had spent time in the G-League at some point so it's surely becoming a true minor league of sorts for NBA-level talent. Would only make sense to me to have that represented here in some capacity. I also think about the 2nd round of this past draft. Wonder if more GM's would have participated and took a chance on a guy if they had a dedicated place for them to be while they develop into a viable commodity. Maybe I'm being naive with desiring 15 on the active roster and some of the desire is tied to me being an NBA geek and I just want more guys on my roster to follow, but one way or another I think there is room for some form of roster expansion next season.

[Deleted]

What about a "red shirt" option for 2nd round picks? Owners could tag a player as a red shirt and they wouldn't count against the cap or roster limit, but they also couldn't be added to the active roster until the following off-season. It would make the 2nd round far more active.

[Roar GM (Josh)]

I think NauHurdler's idea of just adding a couple inactive spots would be the easiest solution that would placate those wanting a more robust roster but also not create a lot of extra work for the mods. I definitely like the idea though.

[Deleted]

Honestly, the redshirt idea is super cool, I would like to see that happen

[Deleted]

My ideas regarding the red shirt thing I posted:

1. I think we could allow for 1 or 2, but not more than that.

2. We could potentially apply it to any player (not just 2nd rounders) that has played less than x (i.e. 40) NBA games. However, if you want to redshirt a free agent, that should be included in the bid and it should subtract from the bid point total. You cannot redshirt a player that you trade for, only one acquired through draft or free agency.

3. The red shirt player could be traded BUT I think that they should have to be activated if traded, unless swapped for another redshirt. So, redshirt for non-redshirt = automatic activation, but redshirt for redshirt = option to activate or keep inactive. The option to activate has to be decided when the trade is accepted for salary cap purposes.

4. I think it's really important that the player cannot be activated (unless traded for as outlined in #3) until the following offseason. If you want to use this option, you have to commit to the long term. If a player does not hit the game maximum, then we could potentially allow for a 2nd red shirt year. If they do hit the maximum, they are automatically added to the active roster at the end of the season and teams have to make sure they get under the cap immediately (if that's an issue).


These are all random thoughts I had. I think there's a lot we could do with it, but these are the types of things I was thinking when I posted the idea before.

[Deleted]

One more thing, which I think goes without saying, if you are signing them as a free agent, you have to have cap room to do so at the time. Oh and it should only apply during the offseason for free agents, not once the season begins.

[Deleted]

Big fan of both the additional inactive spots and the red shirt idea. Also, big fan of the use of "robust" - it's not used enough. Well done.

[Deleted]

Oct 15, 2018 11:41:06 GMT -5 @ewetzel said:

My ideas regarding the red shirt thing I posted:

1. I think we could allow for 1 or 2, but not more than that.

2. We could potentially apply it to any player (not just 2nd rounders) that has played less than x (i.e. 40) NBA games. However, if you want to redshirt a free agent, that should be included in the bid and it should subtract from the bid point total. You cannot redshirt a player that you trade for, only one acquired through draft or free agency.

3. The red shirt player could be traded BUT I think that they should have to be activated if traded, unless swapped for another redshirt. So, redshirt for non-redshirt = automatic activation, but redshirt for redshirt = option to activate or keep inactive. The option to activate has to be decided when the trade is accepted for salary cap purposes.

4. I think it's really important that the player cannot be activated (unless traded for as outlined in #3) until the following offseason. If you want to use this option, you have to commit to the long term. If a player does not hit the game maximum, then we could potentially allow for a 2nd red shirt year. If they do hit the maximum, they are automatically added to the active roster at the end of the season and teams have to make sure they get under the cap immediately (if that's an issue).


These are all random thoughts I had. I think there's a lot we could do with it, but these are the types of things I was thinking when I posted the idea before.

Cant redshirt lebron, damn

[TrailDucker]

This is all great. FYI I haven an idea of what we could do I just haven’t had time to type it up. It wouldn’t be implemented this season anyway so I’ll get to it in the following weeks.