Let's Talk About Payroll

[Deleted]

Top Five Teams with the Highest Payroll

1. Indiana Pacers - $135,543,157 (from $111M) 22% increase Bill Bayno

Description:
Who would have thought that the Indiana Pacers have the highest payroll in the league?

Off-season moves:

- Signed Tyreke Evans to a two-year $29M deal.

- Signed Doug McDermott to a three-year $25M deal.

- Traded for Dwight Howard, Bojan Bogdanovic.

Outlook:

They haven't made the playoffs in the past two years despite their skyrocket payroll in the Bill Bayno era yet they enter Season 4 with the highest payroll? That's simply ridiculous. They might be delusional thinking that acquiring Howard when they were successful in a previous period would make them a championship contender. However, can't help but appreciate what they're doing in acquiring the real life Pacers players but not on ridiculous low contract like they're used to. They have expiring contracts to re-sign their "franchise" player Klay Thompson but the leftover roster might not be good moving forward.

This team looks like a playoff contender and possibly a dark horse -- or a first round fodder and not even making the playoffs. Prove them wrong.

2. Detroit Pistons - $134,362,636 (from $99M) 36% increase

Description:

Since Ben Wallace is desperate to have GM's, he allowed the erstwhile Detroit GM to participate immediately just by giving his FB account.

Off-season moves:

- Signed DeMarcus Cousins to a four-year $100M deal.

- Signed Will Barton to a four-year $47M deal.

- Signed Trevor Ariza to a two-year $15M deal.

- Signed Ersan Ilyasove to a four-year $20M deal.

- Acquired Otto Porter Jr. (how again?)

- Acquired Kent Bazmore and his two-year $30M contract from the Utah Jazz.

Implications:

- Detroit is stuck with DMC's contract in the next four years.

- Utah was able to retain their "core" players (Embiid, Nurkic and Smart) while only "losing" Ingles and Parker (Yes, I don't believe there is nothing here) because of a "fly-by night" GM.

Outlook:

They made the Eastern Conference Finals last year with their "Build A Wall". Not only they retained DMC, they were able to improve their roster in every angle this off-season. However, they're stuck with this core in the next two years. Still, they can make adjustments next year with the expiring contract of the dreaded Bazemore contract; while it will be difficult for them to trade Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson since they hold their BR's -- it would be dumb to trade them unless they'll get a three-year contract as well. 

Anything short of a Finals appearance would be a disappoint since they have the second highest payroll in this league and that is the expectation.

3. Los Angeles Lakers - $126,000,505 (from $105M) 20% increase @maro

Description:

The defending champs. They didn't need to acquire LeBron James but that's the price they have to pay in order to have "The King" in Lakerland.

Off-season moves:

- Acquired LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

- Re-signed Paul George to a one-year $25M deal.

- Signed Pau Gasol to a full MLE deal.

Implications:

- Near destruction of the league (but more because of the troll migration of GM's).

- The team everybody loves to hate.

Outlook:

With the signing of Gasol, everybody thinks that it's the Lakers trophy to lose. Remember: LeBron couldn't get past the second round in his three years in this league. Chemistry might be a real issue but they won't have a problem since "The King" is committed to LA.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - $123,021,660 (from $122M) 1% increase Koby Altman

Description:

They've been operating in (-) since the beginning netting a championship in Year 2. This season, they decided to cut their salaries and hell-bent on cleaning house by next season.

Offseason moves:

- Traded LeBron James.

Implications:

- Accused of handing LeBron to the defending champs.

- Improved depth.

Outlook:

Koby Altman being Koby Altman. Same guy who traded Kawhi (after winning a championship and Finals MVP) for LeBron only to trade him in the opposite Conference. With that payroll, they're expected to make the playoffs. Otherwise, it would have been a complete failure to trade LeBron.

5. Brooklyn Nets - $116,834,654 (from $95M) 23% increase

Description:

They're "noise" came last year with Rudy Gobert and Kyle Lowry getting re-signed and signed. They made the playoffs but they're expected to improve internally.

Off-season moves:

- Re-signed Andrew Wiggins to a four-year $84M deal.

- Re-signed T.J. Warren to a four-year $44M deal.

- Re-signed Montrezl Harrell to a four-year $25M deal.

Outlook:

One of the "BR teams", they did what they're supposed to do. They're relying on internal improvement but are they a championship contender? We will find out this season.

6. Charlotte Hornets - $116,380,097 (from $95M) 23% increase Mitch Kupchak

Description:

They didn't make the playoffs in the past two years but they have playoff aspirations for this year.

Off-season moves:

- Acquired Damian Lillard.

- Acquired Hassan Whiteside.

- Re-signed Kelly Olynyk to a four-year $50M deal.

Implications:

- Gave OKC money to wreak havoc in the off-season and getting away with Chris Paul.

Outlook:

They look like a playoff team. Will Mitch Kupchak version of Build A Wall work in Charlotte?

Out of the five-six teams, only two looks like a championship contender. We could argue for Brooklyn but it's "to see is to believe" since only LA and DET made it in the Finals in their respective Conference.

[Bill Bayno]

The gap between last year's payroll and my current total wouldn't be bigger if you only let me sign several minimum contracts at the end of the regular season. That aside, what's ridiculous? That I took advantage of Aldridge's BR to drive up my payroll?

The real-life Blazers, Wizards, and Raptors, just to keep their core, have been over the cap for so long they are now feeling the sting. I guess in your book that's ridiculous. What about the Isiah Thomas-period Knicks when they couldn't keep payroll down to a minimum when they have Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway, and Jerome James in the books and they couldn't do anything to improve their situation (they could have, but amnestied Jerome Williams' contract instead of Marbury's; that's besides the point)? Or the present-day Grizzlies, which take note, didn't reach the playoffs.

There was a bidding war for Evans, do you think I could get him at-value? Same with McDermott. What would I do with the 1 million+ spare change of my MLE? That's already equivalent to a veteran minimum in some cases. Also, will you give me McDermott for 3.5 million in the first year so that I could have legitimately give O'Quinn's actual salary? Speaking of, I informed you and Ben Wallace to correct/adjust Kyle O'Quinn's contract. But semantics, I'm over the cap either way. And he's just in the books for a year, so I guess there's no game-changing exploit/glitch happening.

I might have preferred to have the economics of the in-sim league to determine the value, in which I believe happened in this case, because real-life Pacers players individually have high values right now considering their performance last season. This disproves the idea that I'm a cheapskate. You might not be hating me on that particularly, but for other things.

TLDR: Just tell everybody here that you hate me and/or my team.

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I didn't know that Detroit is now a bot team. And based on your language, it seems that you hate EVERYBODY who has accounts in other sim leagues.

Also, you're the one who allowed Cousins to be tied down to a team for four years, and now, you're hating the then-GM for doing that?

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Don't worry, the feeling is mutual if you are just tolerating me and you're just keeping me here for headcount purposes.

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Koby Altman being the owner and founder of this league, I'll reserve my opinions about him.

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Whatever happened to Jason Kidd, BTW?

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Charlotte did well considering the pieces I left the team. I would've wanted to trade for more picks, but I was already disallowed to touch the roster at that time.

[Deleted]

Bill Bayno

J-Kidd got AWOL and was replaced by Theodore Duncan. I think there's a new Brooklyn GM.

[Deleted]

Bill Bayno You don't have to react to anything I say. I simply made an article with regards to the payroll situation of this league and I was surprised that you actually had the highest payroll considering that the Pacers didn't make the playoffs the past two years. Even with your salary last year, that's $6M higher than us (Lakers). Can't I make an article to show how the figures are? It shows you hate me more than I hate you and you would react in every chance you could. It's my first time writing an article with regards to the salaries in the "dead" time of the league and I can't catch a break from you.

Re: Detroit. Am I supposed to "block" his offer when we know someone is operating it (be it real or we don't know it's purpose?) Regardless how I reacted, I'd been criticized anyway. We can only connect the dots backwards. How would we know he would "quit" soon just because of what happened in our league? Besides, DMC is in BR so no one really expected for him to go anywhere, right? BUT we didn't expect DET would give him a $25M-deal. And NO, I don't hate people who has an account with another league. The KG's, the Wilken's, etc. - even Koby Altman.

I'll disregard everything else since that's your opinion and I have no input with what you said whatsoever aside from the above.

As such, I'll also make an article for the lowest salaries and teams that are "in between" but actually field a competitive roster. It's not about making an article to "hit on anybody". I'm simply making an article for the league.

[Deleted]

Five Teams with the Lowest Payroll (current)

1. Houston Rockets - $72,997,445

Description:

The Rockets haven't made the playoffs the past three years. Losing James Harden was so hard that the GM resigned -- the second time around.

Outlook:

The never-ending rebuild continues as the Rockets miss their GM the second time around. Just when they thought that this is the year when they'll make the playoffs, it became much worst. With no impact free agent left, a Bradley Beal & Ben Simmons led team will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs in the Wild Wild West. The payroll is justified considering they were prepared to give it to Harden but he chose another team.

Beal will most likely opt-in that contract, Jo-Val is still undecided, but they still have Simmons and the soaring Collins. Bold prediction: They won't make the playoffs (again), but they have money (again) to lure a free agent if they don't do any trades along the way.

2. Toronto Raptors - $75,513,120 Drake

Description:

The Raptors are one of the handful of teams that are 3/3 in the playoffs. Every year, they're in the conversation not just as playoff contenders, but championship contenders. However, losing Harden was a major blow for the organization.

Off-season moves:

- Lost James Harden.

- Re-signed Aaron Gordon in a "controversial" salary.

Outlook:

It may be a long winter in the North. They lost Avery Bradley, okay. They lost Harden, that's devastating. They currently have 12-man roster and it could be fielded for the season with Stephen Curry leading the way. Is a one-man Curry enough to barge in the playoffs? Will Gordon improve to be the bona fide second option? Will they not make the playoff for the first time in four years? Are they in play next season? Not sure but with this payroll, they're not expected to make it (playoff), it would be great though if they did.

3. Atlanta Hawks - $76,793,387

Description:

The "farm" team. The "asset" of ATL continues this year as they have six (yes six!) first round picks. They haven't made the playoffs but this team looks delicious that's why the League decided this team wouldn't be touched.

Outlook:

With 19 active players, teams are waiting when the lines for Atlanta's roster will be opened. Is there payroll justified? Looks like it. But with their collection of talent, they might just make the playoffs this year in the weakened East despite having the third lowest salary in the league (Well, that's what we've been saying since Season 1 but they don't make the playoffs. They start "hot"lanta only to wither.)

4. Oklahoma City Thunder - $81,743,777 Lenny Wilkens

Description:

They haven't made the playoffs in the Lenny Wilkens era but boy are they active in free agency. Trading Hassan Whiteside sure made wonders for this team.

Off-season moves:

- Signed Chris Paul to a four-year $119M deal.

- Signed Rodney Hood to a four-year $34M deal.

- Traded for Julius Randle.

Outlook:

Landing a "superstar" sure is a win for the Thunder organization. But with the construction of it's roster, Chris Paul might get frustrated in OKC. Will he demand a trade mid-season? The roster on paper doesn't ring a bell to make the playoffs.

5. Boston Celtics - $85,562,536

Description:

Similar to Atlanta, the League doesn't want anyone touching the Celtics. They haven't made the playoffs in the past three years as well.

Outlook:

Will they make the playoffs with the addition of Luka Doncic? That's for everyone to see esp. when a "troll" account wanted to have this team, only to remove his account, but have a troll account, only to destroy the league, and remove the account as well. Contract year of Kemba Walker but internal improvement for Jayson Tatum. They have cap next off-season but the poison contract of Joakim Noah and Evan Turner remains. Can they make the playoffs in the weakened East?

Out of the five teams, three are bots so it's no-brainer (having a low payroll). But 2/3 bot teams looks like they could challenge for a playoff spot (Atlanta and Boston). We've been here before with ATL. They're supposed to make the playoffs with their "talent" but they haven't done so in three years. Ditto with Boston. We are rooting for TOR to surprise us but we'll bet that OKC won't make the playoffs with their current roster as is. Houston? We have a problem.

[Bill Bayno]

I didn't realize how weak the East looks this season. And I was considering a rivalry with Toronto.

Now I feel more confident with my team making waves even if my supposed starting PF entered training camp "out of shape". Maybe Randolph will once again play back into shape like what he did last season with that unexpected ratings boost midseason.

Damm, on hindsight, I should've stuck on my 'gut feel' and should've kept Connaughton and opted out Randolph instead.

[Deleted]

Sept 19, 2018 4:19:05 GMT 8 Bill Bayno said:

I didn't realize how weak the East looks this season. And I was considering a rivalry with Toronto.

Now I feel more confident with my team making waves even if my supposed starting PF entered training camp "out of shape". Maybe Randolph will once again play back into shape like what he did last season with that unexpected ratings boost midseason.

Damm, on hindsight, I should've stuck on my 'gut feel' and should've kept Connaughton and opted out Randolph instead.

Z-Bo may focus on eating more donuts and be a gangsta during the season lols

Overall, you have a great lineup that's capable of making the playoffs. Your thin frontcourt will be covered up by your abudance of wings.

[Bill Bayno]

If Shaquille O'Neal can play his way to shape, maybe others can as well.

[Deleted]

Five teams with the best payroll

1. Utah Jazz - $89,387,852 Andrei Kirilenko

Description:

When you made the Western Conference Finals and was able to re-sign all your important players and still under $102M with 15-man roster and internal improvement, what's not to love?

Off-season moves:

- Re-signed Joel "The Franchise" Embiid to a four-year $114M deal.

- Re-signed Jusuf "The Rocky Mountain Bear" Nurkic to a four-year $47M deal.

- Re-signed Marcus "The Dog" Smart to a four-year $37M deal.

Power move:

- Traded Kent Bazemore and his guaranteed two-year $30M contract to the Detroit Pistons GM who immediately left that freed up their cap space.

Outlook:

Losing Tony Parker and Joe Ingles doesn't matter since they were able to re-sign all their "core" players via the "miraculous" Detroit trade. They have "lots of guards" and may be "thin" up front but with Joel readily in place and The Rocky Mountain Bear, the future looks bright in the Utah. The question: Can they upend the Lakers?

2. Orlando Magic - $102,000,000 (current) Penny Hardaway

Description:

When you made the Finals and your salary is right at the ball park, and obtained an all-world PG in Kyrie Irving right after getting beaten in the Finals, what's not to love?

Off-season moves:

- Traded for Kyrie Irving.

Outlook:

For comparison, the Lakers have $24M more in salaries compared to their East counterpart. With LeBron bolting out West, it looks like Orlando is out to dominate the East with the only exception of the Pistons and their skyhigh $32M more payroll. Orlando is set in the next two years and anything but a championship will be a disappointment.

3. Golden State Warriors - $89,404,882

Description:

They made the playoffs, right?

Off-season moves:

- Drafted Miles Bridges

- Let Danilo Gallinari walk away in free agency

Outlook:

They're here because they made the playoffs. We're assuming that with a full season, their core won't get sweep this time around. As such, internal improvement looks like the way in Oakland. GM is the worst in the league. (It should be Memphis but they're not included since they have a sky-high payroll last season at $123M)

4. Chicago Bulls - $95,704,968 Toni Kukoc

Description:

After years in the cellars, they decided "it's time" to make some noise in the league. They acquired KD and every team he's been, he made the playoffs. Playoffs in Chi-Town?

Off-season moves:

- Traded for KD

- Drafted DeAndre Ayton first overall

- Signed Gary Harris to a four-year $75M deal.

Outlook:

With the "weakened" East and KD plying his skills in Chicago, it looks like it will be "fun times" in Chi-Town.

5. Sacramento Kings - $98,984,462 Kevin Johnson

Description:

They didn't make the playoffs by swapping LBJ for Leonard, but acquiring a franchise superstar made them one of the biggest winners in this year's free agency.

Off-season moves:

- Signed James Harden to a three-year $99M deal.

- Signed Andre Roberson to a four-year $11M deal.

Outlook:

Landing "The Beard" to play alongside "The Claw" looks like not only a playoff, but a championship team. Supporting cast is questionable but the fans are very excited in Sac-Town. If this fails badly, will we see Kawhi getting traded mid-season?

6. Philadelphia 76ers - $102,000,000 Allen Iverson

Description:

When you were able to re-sign your "core" players while adding some and still the future looks bright, it looks like they'll be a 4/4 playoffs team -- higher chance the Cavaliers and Raptors -- who also made the playoffs each season.

Off-season moves:

- Re-signed IT to a two-year $16M deal.

- Re-signed BoLo to a to a two-year $18M deal.

- Re-signed RoCo to a four-year $47M deal.

- Signed Gallo to a one-year $9M deal.

Outlook:

With a 15-man roster and "right at the ballpark" salary, we're betting the Sixers still make the playoffs despite "across the board" diminishing skills of their players.

What does this mean? It means that these 5-6 teams are most likely to make the playoffs all while managing their salaries very well; 2-3 are even championship caliber teams.

[Bill Bayno]

Request: bot teams ranked

[Bill Bayno]

Sept 19, 2018 4:19:05 GMT 8 Bill Bayno said:

I didn't realize how weak the East looks this season. And I was considering a rivalry with Toronto.

I'm calling it. And that's why I'm in contention, theories of spillover from Pacers Live 06 be dammed