I have noticed how GM’s who’ve accumulated draft assets (Ainge, Presti), are actually being hamstrung by rival GM’s because they only have 17 roster spots available.
There is also the issue of serious international prospects no longer wanting to be stashed in Europe to develop because of the huge wage discrepancy.
Young draftees find it difficult on contenders because they can’t express themselves and develop, as possessions are so crucial.
My idea to help solve these issues is to adopt a soccer like player loan system.
If you aren’t familiar with soccer and it’s rules, teams can loan out players (for various reasons) to other teams during the season and the player will usually return to their parent club once the season ends.
Not to get weighted down in the loan systems complex regulations and rules, the most basic loan ideal is to give young players opportunities to shine for weaker teams while the parent club also gets some salary relief.
I believe this could work in the NBA, as there are always weak teams wanting to contend, are either a few players short or have a star player out with a season ending injury.
I do understand the league wants to develop the G-League, but the issue with teams like Maine is that because most players are fighting for a shot at the NBA, there is no real team concept or elite defending.
Does anyone agree? Could a soccer loan system translate to the NBA?