Everytime somebody comes up with a legit, mutually beneficial trade proposal. So like, once or twice a year. Usually around the deadline.
constantly. It's fun to play with. Also, I'm not going to throw a thought out there before I've checked its viability.
I used the RealGM trade checker frequently probably a decade ago. Once ESPN created one, I started using it. Currently probably use it 10 to 15 times a year.
Hope you're not using the ESPN trade checker for that, it's not taking salaries and capspace into account at the moment. Half the stuff posted in the various LMA trade threads with links to ESPNs trade checker don't actually work money wise, but it still says they do.
There are lots of trades that would never work on the ESPN trade machine because you can't include cash considerations, draft picks, trade exceptions, sign and trades, etc. For example, there is not a way you can get the Warriors and Jazz trade (Jefferson, Beidrins, Rush for Murphy and picks) to go through on either ESPN or RealGM. That doesn't mean they are not valuable tools.
I know the trade rules well enough that I don't actually depend on the trade machine for that. I primarily use it because it shows me all the salaries, and then I can calculate the 125% or 150% salary-match on my own.
Pretty much don't use them at all any more. I use salary sites like storytellers which gives a rough estimate if a trade is in the ballpark of being realistic. I’m sure the teams could throw in or subtract a few scrubs if need be to get the deal finalized. I think its important to see what is the advantage to each team, why is the player more valuable to the acquiring team. Teams have different timelines so an older team wants to get players to win now and another team wants player that will hit their prime years from now. Or a team has too many players at one position.
Never. It's one of the worst inventions ever. It makes Internet dummies think they would be capable GM's.
I was just going to post something along the same lines. It would be easy for ESPN to set up draft picks, cash amounts, sign & trade scenarios, etc. to get a fuller picture of the trade in the link.
