Free Agency is behind us, and the feeding frenzy left some teams gorged, while others went, and continue to, go hungry. What ramifications did the algorithms and dice rolls have on the fates of NSL teams? Below, we will go through the impact free agency had on these teams as they look forward into 21-22 and beyond.

For vocabulary’s sake, and because I like rhyming, I have crafted two terms - propped and dropped – to indicate teams that have benefited and suffered from the FA outcomes, respectively. Propped means you have given your franchise a significant boost towards future success, whereas dropped indicates a loss in momentum.

Propped – Phoenix Suns

Additions: Serge Ibaka, Derrick Jones Jr, Bryn Forbes, Nicholas Batum, Jaesean Tate, Elijah Hughes, Max Strus (2WAY)


The Phoenix Suns were armed with a heap of cap space, something that most teams don’t have, and it gave them a leg-up on any players that were worth the full-MLE or higher. Laddas patiently bided his time and worked the radio waves until those more expensive targets surfaced, and the front-office wasted no time in pouncing on terrific opportunity. Serge Ibaka was meant to be a shoe-in to a ‘contender’, but the upstart Boneyard Boyz had him fall in their lap. On top of Serge, who is versatile and athletic, the team added DJJ, Forbes and Nicholas Batum, all above-average veterans whom all teams were coveting (this author included). Void of any GM points, Phoenix and laddas somehow added as much value/talent as any team, despite having no business doing so. Any of the mentioned players could start in the right circumstances.




Oh, and the FA algorithms helped a fair bit, too ;)

To be lucky!


Dropped – Denver Nuggets

Additions: Pat Connaughton, Willy Hernangomez, Bruno Caboclo, Markus Howard (2WAY)

The NSL Denver Nuggets have had a pretty rough shake of things for the duration, with their star Klay Thompson yet to play a single game for them, and won’t be for the upcoming season. They treaded water last season and turned their young assets into Steph Curry. However, the team is incomplete and remains so, with the Nuggets whiffing on almost every meaningful free agent. They didn’t commit many GMs, but maybe they should have. Luck just hasn’t found its way to Denver yet. Steph is great, and will be for a long time, but he is on the wrong side of 30. Not sure any of these players have a consistent role on the team. At least they have Bruno, who two years closer to being two years away from being two years away. Where are the Nuggets at?





Propped – Orlando Magic

Additions: Marcus Morris, Josh Jackson, Alex Len, Anthony Gil

The Orlando Magic have made it vehemently clear that they are making it to the playoffs this year. My personal affection to Gav aside, I love the declaration and that idea will drive their performances all year and influence their thinking when it comes to transactions and Orlando players. I can’t stand people/organisations not doing their best to succeed and I won’t have to worry about Gav losing any friendship points with me. Morris was one of the best free agents on the market – a stretch four, tough, skilled player, and he will play a huge role for Orlando. On top of that, Gav kept his powder dry long enough to steal/earn rising star Josh Jackson from a number of other suitors. The cherry on top was winning a bid for 2k-sweetheart Alex Len by 1 point over the reigning champion Trailblazers, on the back on a 4.5-to-0.5 random factor. Leveller-up!

Dropped – Los Angeles Clippers

Additions: Alec Burks, Jerome Robinson, David Nwaba

The Clippers might have been the hardest luck story of the whole day (aside from the Portland Trailblazers). They bid double-digit GMs multiple free agents and secured none. The Clippers strategy is the counter-argument to the ‘win by 200 points club’ philosophy. Is it better to have secured your prize with excess/wasteful GMS, or be more prudent with GMS and risk not securing anyone? The Clippers treaded water last season, with Andrew not pushing all in and choosing to build around Giannis slowly and organically. However, they have failed to add much at all to Giannis this season, and sooner or later, Giannis will want to be competing for titles. Burks was a great get, as the Clippers nabbed him late in the day. Robinson and Nwaba are roster filler, which will ensure some massive Giannis usage.

Propped – Boston Celtics

Additions: Jerami Grant (S&T), Marc Gasol

Boston had just two spots to fill during free agency, one of which was Isaiah Hartenstein – a restricted free agent whom they added off the waivers during the season. Due to salary constraints in Houston, the Rockets donated Jerami Grant to the Boston Celtics for Hartenstein and cap relief. Since agreeing to the deal, Grant is thriving in the NBA. Talk about Butterfly Effect. A team drops a raw prospect and another team donates an up-and-coming star to them. With no expectation to add anyone, due to the fact that they aren’t competing, the Celtics surprised everyone, dropping 99 GMS on Marc Gasol, stealing him from a team who desperately needed him and trumping their 99 GM bid. Home run. It was damn exciting to watch and toby has made some really great moves as of late. Gasol will now be auctioned off to the highest bidder in what are sure to be some painstaking-yet-fruitful discussions.

Dropped – Philadelphia 76ers

Additions: Joe Harris, Karim Mane (2WAY)

Since acquiring LeBron James, many are assuming this team will just be epic from the get-go and romp their way to the East Finals. One glaring weakness was at the 5-spot, with resident team-cancer Hassan Whiteside deciding to send Phili to remission and take his services elsewhere. Despite being a massive dickhead, Whiteside has a huge impact on the court and his decision to depart but strain on an already stressed-out and stretched roster. The team had one goal during FA – bid 99 GMs on a centre. Who do they choose? Cousins, Howard, Cauley-Stein, Noel were all names that were up on the 76ers whiteboard in the war-room. The team kept patient and waited until the 11^th hour when Marc Gasol became available. Doing the absolute right thing, they dropped 99 GMS on him and started envisioning what he will do for the team. Two minutes later, the 76ers were shook by a huge bid from the Celtics, leaving the team with no GM points and no big-man. Currently Boban is the starter and rookie Azubuike is the back up. Not ideal for a title-contender. And poor Marc has to languish in Boston for a while.