Proposed Rule Change #2 - MLE Adjustments

[James Kay]

OK, so this one is a little more involved than the first rule change.

First, I need to point out that over-the-cap teams in D5 get an MLE of $8,406,000. This is equivalent to the "non-taxpayer" MLE in the NBA's CBA. However, the NBA CBA also provides for a "taxpayer MLE" which is considerably less, at $5.192 million.

The teams in D5 that are getting the MLE are extremely over the "apron" which would only qualify them for the taxpayer MLE in the real NBA CBA. This means that over-the-cap teams in D5 are getting an extra 3.3 million to spend on their MLE.

If nothing else from this rule change is adopted, at the very least, I hope the MLE is uniformly lowered to the taxpayer MLE of $5.192 million.

Anyway, the NBA CBA also provides for the "room MLE" for teams that are under the cap, at $4.328 million, and also a more complicated bi-annual exception of $3.290 million.


As it stands, the D5 MLE rules are so inconsistent with the real life NBA MLE rules that these monster-salaried teams are getting a ridiculous advantage compared to the rest of the league. These inflated payroll teams are getting MORE of an MLE than they should, while the rest of the league is getting much less than they should.

However, making our MLE system match the IRL one would be a lot of work for Ian Noble and honestly complicate things unnecessarily for our purposes in a simulation league. So, in the interest of fairness and simplicity, I propose that the MLE rules for D5 are changed to reflect:

1. All teams are given the "Room MLE" of $4.328 million.

2. Teams over the cap are given the "Taxpayer MLE" of $5.192 million.

That's it. This is important because teams that are under the cap, and trade for a player that brings them up to the cap are unable to make FA signings with the same potency that over-the-cap teams can, with their inflated 8+ million MLEs. Of course, these rules can be implemented next season or whenever convenient.

[Andrei Kirilenko]

I support this change.

[Deleted]

Yes

[Jared Montini]

I'm down

[Jeremiah Hill]

I propose setting a simple version of the taxpayer's line, say 5-10% over the normal cap are considered the taxpayers who get this lower LME.

Two great rule proposals in a row. Good job.

[Brian Scalabrine]

This is a good idea, I am fully behind this

[Brian Scalabrine]

But this should start next season for fairness

[Jeremiah Hill]

Nov 2, 2017 19:45:42 GMT Brian Scalabrine said:

But this should start next season for fairness

I think this next offseason would be fine. We're still in our offseason when this rule would take effect and FA is over anyways. 

[James Kay]

Bump. I'm an over the cap team for my first time in D5 history, but seriously, I shouldn't be getting 8 mill and neither should all the other over-the-cap teams.

[Alex English]

I disagree. The MLE is the mid level exception not the garbage level exception. Teams over the cap shouldn't be handcuffed and unable to improve their team. It's very rare to get a player for $5 or less that isn't completely useless in the sim.

[Jared Montini]

Jun 28, 2018 2:52:20 GMT Alex English said:

I disagree. The MLE is the mid level exception not the garbage level exception. Teams over the cap shouldn't be handcuffed and unable to improve their team. It's very rare to get a player for $5 or less that isn't completely useless in the sim.

The MLE is 10 million this year as the cap is projected at 101. 10 million can get you a damn good player. 

[Alex English]

Jun 28, 2018 2:57:22 GMT Jared Montini said:

Jun 28, 2018 2:52:20 GMT Alex English said:

I disagree. The MLE is the mid level exception not the garbage level exception. Teams over the cap shouldn't be handcuffed and unable to improve their team. It's very rare to get a player for $5 or less that isn't completely useless in the sim.

The MLE is 10 million this year as the cap is projected at 101. 10 million can get you a damn good player. 

It's $8.5 mil but whatever. Can that amount really get you a good player? 10 years ago maybe, but not today. I don't think there is a single 80+ player that you could sign for that amount.

When the salary cap was in the mid $50 millions the MLE was about $5.5m. It's basically always been this amount relative to the cap. It's meant for signing mid level players, hence the name, and $8.5m should only get you a mid level player in current day free agency.

[Jared Montini]

Jun 28, 2018 3:04:39 GMT Alex English said:

Jun 28, 2018 2:57:22 GMT Jared Montini said:

The MLE is 10 million this year as the cap is projected at 101. 10 million can get you a damn good player. 

It's $8.5 mil but whatever. Can that amount really get you a good player? 10 years ago maybe, but not today. I don't think there is a single 80+ player that you could sign for that amount.

When the salary cap was in the mid $50 millions the MLE was about $5.5m. It's basically always been this amount relative to the cap. It's meant for signing mid level players, hence the name, and $8.5m should only get you a mid level player in current day free agency.

MLE is 10% of the cap is it not ?

[James Kay]

Jun 28, 2018 2:52:20 GMT Alex English said:

I disagree. The MLE is the mid level exception not the garbage level exception. Teams over the cap shouldn't be handcuffed and unable to improve their team. It's very rare to get a player for $5 or less that isn't completely useless in the sim.

I’m only proposing aligning the rules with the real NBA

[Alex English]

Jun 28, 2018 3:05:58 GMT Jared Montini said:

MLE is 10% of the cap is it not ?

It used to be that amount, but that's not it's definition. It's basically the amount calculated to be what the "average" NBA player earns.

See the history of MLE amounts here:
basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap

[Jared Montini]

Jun 28, 2018 3:16:09 GMT Alex English said:

Jun 28, 2018 3:05:58 GMT Jared Montini said:

MLE is 10% of the cap is it not ?

It used to be that amount, but that's not it's definition. It's basically the amount calculated to be what the "average" NBA player earns.

See the history of MLE amounts here:
basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap

okay thanks for the info

[Alex English]

Jun 28, 2018 3:08:53 GMT James Kay said:

Jun 28, 2018 2:52:20 GMT Alex English said:

I disagree. The MLE is the mid level exception not the garbage level exception. Teams over the cap shouldn't be handcuffed and unable to improve their team. It's very rare to get a player for $5 or less that isn't completely useless in the sim.

I’m only proposing aligning the rules with the real NBA

But not really because you want to eliminate the standard MLE.

I think your issues with the whole thing aren't solved by your proposal. The hard cap is what will address the over inflated salaries. Ideally when it's at 140% of the cap, or maybe even less, in a few years time, then most other competitive balance issues should sort themselves out.

I just think that all this will do is increase the complexity of our rules with little benefit, and then lead to over the cap teams paying less attention to D5 during free agency.

Maybe I'm alone with this, but I think it's a good thing that over the cap teams can still look forward to trying to sign one decent player in free agency. They can get a dude to help off their bench and round out their lineup. These aren't the roster moves that are hurting the league. It's other stuff.