Path to Greatness

[nuka]

In this one, I'll be following the lives on a few NBA Rookies. I'll post where they were drafted, tweets about them, key game stats, awards and more.
I'll also be following the NBA.. which means power rankings, rule changes, trades, signings and more. If anyone has story lines they want included please let me know.

I'm not super amazing at photoshop.. so if someone wants to help me out that'd be awesome


If you want to join, heres the layout:

Quote:

Name: Age (18-21): Position: Top 5 attributes: Country/university: Height: Weight: Number: Top 3 Teams: Extras:

Centers
* Simon Boone
* Colin Campbell
* Chad Moya

Power Forward
* Steve Acres
* Jimmy Green
* Zack Knight

Small Forward
* Mike Cliff
* Jacob Jackson
* Lesane Jones Sr.

Shooting Guard
* Noah Jackson
* Ty Bonne
* Denis Hoy

Point Guard
* Djordje Krsmanovic
* Nuka Seyde
* Ross Burton

More to be added on here as they come.

[nuka]

Reserved for HOF / Key Retires / Retired Jersey #

Key Retires:
2018
Dirk Nowitzki
Paul Pierce
Manu Ginobili
2019
Vince Carter
Pau Gason
2020
Joe Johnson
Dwayne Johnson
Thabo Sefolosha
2021
Tony Parker
Andre Iguodala
Luol Deng
2022
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard
2023
C.J Miles
Marcin Gortat
Rudy Gay
2024
LeBron James
Kyle Lowry
LaMarcus Aldridge
DeMar DeRozan
2025
Chris Paul
Marc Gasol
Paul Millsap
Serge Ibaka
Isaiah Thomas
2026
Mike Conley
James HArden
Stephen Curry
Eric Bledsoe
Blake Griffin
Klay Thompson
2027
Kevin Love
DeAndre Jordan
Derrick Favors
Paul George
Damian Lillard


Hall Of Fame
2018
Dirk Nowitzki
Paul Pierce
2019
Vince Carter
2020
Dwyane Wade
2022
Dwight Howard
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
2024
LeBron James
2025
Chris Paul
2026
Stephen Curry
James Harden
Blake Griffin
2027
DeMarcus Cousins

Jersey Retirement
San Antonio Spurs
20 - Manu Ginobili - 2002 ~ 2018
9 - Tony Parker - 2001 ~ 2021

Dallas Mavericks:
41 - Dirk Nowitzki - 1998 ~ 2018

Miami Heat:
3 - Dwyane Wade - 2003 ~ 2016
6 - LeBron James - 2010 ~ 2015

Orlando Magic
12 - Dwight Howard - 2004 ~ 2012

Denver Nuggets
15 - Carmelo Anthony - 2003 ~ 2011

Toronto Raptors
10 - DeMar DeRozan - 2009 ~ 2021

Cleveland Cavaliers
23 - LeBron James - 2003 ~ 2010, 2014 ~ 2024

L.A Clippers
3 - Chris Paul - 2011 ~ 2017
32 - Blake Griffin - 2010 ~ 2020

Houston Rockets
3 - Chris Paul - 2017 ~ 2025
13 - James Harden - 2012 ~ 2026

Memphis Grizzlies
33 - Marc Gasol - 2008 - 2024

Golden State Warriors
11 - Klay Thompson - 2011 ~ 2025
30 - Stephen Curry - 2009 ~ 2026

[nuka]

Reserved for Salaries / Transactions

Simon Boone (#23)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by Charlotte Hornets
2021: Most Improved Player
2023: Traded to the Toronto Raptors
2025: Traded to the Detroit Pistons
*Role: Core*
Salary:
2018: $2.23M
2019: $2.65M
2020: $3.09M
2021: $4.42M
2022: $30.24M
2023: $32.66M
2024: $35.08M
2025: $35.25M
2026: $34.83M
2027: $37.41M

Colin Campbell (#48)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
2019: Rookie 1st Team
*Role: Superstar*
Salary:
2018: $5.35M
2019: $6.35M
2020: $7.42M
2021: $9.36M
2022: $30.37M
2023: $32.80M
2024: $35.23M
2025: $37.66M
2026: $42.58M
2027: $45.99M
2028: $49.40M
2029: $52.80M

Chad Moya (#17 2 year Euro Stash)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks (Switched to #6)
2021: Rookie 2nd Team
*Role: Prospect*
Salary:
2018: Europe
2019: Europe
2020: $2.60M
2021: $3.09M
2022: $3.61M
2023: $4.60M
2024: $30.98M
2025: $33.46M
2026: $35.94M
2027: $38.42M


Steve Acres (#22)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the New York Knicks (Switched to #0)
2019: Rookie 2nd Team
2020: 6th man of the Year (NYK)
2021: 6th man of the Year (NYK)
*Role: Core*
Salary:
2018: $1.73M
2019: $2.05M
2020: #2.39M
2021: $3.68M
2022: $30.25M
2023: $32.67M
2024: $35.09M
2025: $35.36M
2026: $38.19M
2027: $41.02M
2028: $43.84M

Jimmy Green (#00)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Utah Jazz
2019: Rookie 2nd Team
2026: Signed with the Phoenix Suns
*Role: Prospect*
Salary:
2018: $3.92M
2019: $4.65M
2020: $5.44M
2021: $6.89M
2022: $29.97M
2023: $32.36M
2024: $34.76M
2025: $37.16M
2026: Player ETO Declined & signed with the Suns | 2026: $43.90M
2027: $46.09M
2028: $48.29M
2029: $50.48M PLAYER OPTION

Zack Knight (#95)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
2019: Rookie 1st Team
2022: Defense 2nd Team
2023: Defense 2nd Team
*Role: Superstar*
Salary:
2018: ^^ Stashed in Europe
2019: $1.91M
2020: $2.27M
2021: $2.65M
2022: $4.07M
2023: $30.44M
2024: $32.87M
2025: $35.31M
2026: $37.74M
2027: Player ETO

Mike Cliff (#16, 1 year Euro Stash)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Chicago Bulls
2020: Rookie of the Year
2020: Rookie 1st Team
2021: All-Star
2021: NBA 3rd Team
2022: NBA 3rd Team
*Role: Prospect *
Salary:
2018: ^^ Stashed in Euope
2019: $2.74M
2020: $3.25M
2021: $3.80M
2022: $4.84M
2023: $35.62M
2024: $38.47M
2025: $41.32M
2026: $44.17M
2027: $41.30M
2028: $44.60M
2029: $47.91M
2030: $51.21M

Jacob Jackson (#43)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Detroit Pistons (Switched to #23
*Role: Expendable*
Salary:
2018: $2.01M
2019: $2.39M
2020: $2.78M
2021: $4.28M
2022: $24.76M
2023: $26.74M
2024: $28.72M
2025: $30.23M
2026: $32.65M
2027: $35.07M
2028: $31.68M
2029: $34.21M
2030: $36.75M

Lesane Jones Jr. (#22)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers (Switched to #23)
*Role: Superstar *
Salary:
2018: $2.98M
2019: $3.53M
2020: $4.13M
2021: $5.25M
2022: $29.45M
2023: $31.80M
2024: $34.16M
[color="Green"]2025:$32.22M[COLOR] Accepted Player Option
2026: $34.80M
2027: $37.37M

Noah Jackson (#20)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Chicago Bulls
2018: Traded to the Charlotte Hornets (Switched number to #35)
2019: Rookie 1st Team
*Role: Superstar*
Salary:
2018: $4.33M
2019: $5.14M
2020: $6.01M
2021: $7.60M
2022: $30.02M
2023: $32.43M
2024: $34.82M
2025: $37.22M
2026: $42.25M
2027: $45.63M
2028: $49.01M
2029: $52.39M

Ty Bonne (#13)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by Dallas Mavericks (Switched to #11, Paul George has #13)
2019: Rookie Of The Year
2019: Rookie 1st Team
2021: Defense 1st Team
2022: Defense 2nd Team
2023: Defense 1st Team
*Role: Superstar*
Salary:
2018: $5.98M
2019: $7.09M
2020: $8.29M
2021: $10.45M
2022: $29.56M
2023: $31.93M
2024: $34.29M
2025: $36.66M
2026: $36.66M Accepted Player Option
2027: $44.86M
2028: $48.16M

Denis Hoy (#10)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers
2019: Rookie 1st Team
*Role: Prospect *
Salary:
2018: $4.80M
2019: $5.70M
2020: $6.66M
2021: $8.42M
2022: $30.00M
2023: $32.40M
2024: $34.80M
2025: $37.20M
2026: $42.21M
2027: $45.58M
2028: 48.96M
2029: $50.34M

Djordje Krsmanovic (#15, 2 year Euro Stash)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Phoenix Suns (Switched to #2)
2021: Rookie of the Year
2021: Rookie 1st Team
*Role: Core*
Salary:
2020: $3.56M
2021: $4.23M
2022: $4.94M
2023: $6.26M
2024: $30.58M
2025: $33.03M
2026: $25.48M
2027: $37.92M
2028: $43.74M
2029: $47.24M
2030: $50.73M
2031: $54.23M

Nuka Seyde (#2)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Indiana Pacers (Switched to #18)
2019: Rookie 2nd Team
2023: NBA 2nd Team
*Role: Superstar*
Salary:
2018: $3.25M
2019: $3.86M
2020: $4.51M
2021: $5.73M
2022: $29.84M
2023: $32.22M
2024: $34.61M
2025: $37.00M
2026: $38.57M
2027: $41.66M
2028: $44.74M
2029: $47.83M

Ross Burton (#99)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the L.A Clippers
*Role: Prospect *
Salary:
2018: $2.47M
2019: $2.93M
2020: $3.43M
2021: $4.55M
2022: $30.41M
2023: $32.85M
2024: $35.28M
2025: 34.25M *Accepted Player Option
2026: $36.99M
2027: $39.73M
2028: $33.65M
2029: $36.34M
2030: $39.04M

Zach Miller (#22)
Transactions:
2018: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks (Switched to #3)
2019: Traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Toronto Raptors
2019: Traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Dallas Mavericks (Switched to #4)
2023: Signed with the Orlando Magic (Kept #4)
2025: Signed with the LA Clippers (Kept #4)
2026: Traded to Sacramento Kings (Switched to #42)
*Role: Superstar *
Salary:
2018: $1.82M
2019: $2.16M
2020: $2.52M
2021: $3.87M
2022: $5.46M NTC
2023: $19.51M
2024: $23.41M
2025: $30.66M
2026: $32.20M
2027: $33.73M

Jaiveer Nagra (#7)
Transactions:
2024: Drafted by the Toronto Raptors
Salary:
2024: $5.31M
2025: $6.37M
2026: $7.37M
2027: $9.30M
2028: $30.80M
2029: $33.26M
2030: $35.73M
2031: $38.19M

Matas Sunlinskas (#3)
Transactions:
2024: Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers
Salary:
2024: $4.30M
2025: $5.11M
2026: $5.97M
2027: $7.55M

[nuka]

Reserved for Championship Winners
2018: Houston Rockets (beat Cavaliers 4-1)
2019: Golden State Warriors (Beat Cavaliers 4-1)
2020: Minnesota Timberwolves (Beat Cavaliers 4-3)
2021: Milwaukee Bucks (Beat Warriors 4-1)
2022: Golden State Warriors (Beat Hornets 4-1)
2023: Minnesota Timberwolves (Beat Knicks 4-1)
2024: Minnesota Timberwolves (Beat Knicks 4-1)
2025: Golden State Warriors (Beat Bulls 4-3)
2026: Chicago Bulls (Beat Warriors 4-2) Mike Cliff is MVP
2027: Charlotte Hornets (Beat Timberwolves 4-3) Noah Jackson is MVP

[nuka]

Strengths and Weaknesses

Ty Bonne:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Hall Of Fame
Floor: Reggie Lewis / All-Star
Strengths:
- Good Playmaker
- Has amazing skills and creativity driving to the rim
- His shooting range is only limited by the size of the court
Weaknesses:
None

Djordje Krsmanovic:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Terrell Brandon / All-Star
Floor: Raymond Felton / Bench
Strengths:
- One of the best pure shooters in the draft. Drains 3-pointers with ease
- Athletic prowess allows him to be creative with moves to the rim
- Has good court vision which creates more offensive oppertun
Weaknesses:
- Has a tendency of letting guys blow past him to often
- Doesn't do a great job of forcing turnovers in man defense

Denis Hoy:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Hershey Hawkins / All-Star
Floor: Marco Belinelli / Starter
Strengths:
- Keen sense of knowing what to do with the ball and when to do it
- Has his rough spots, but a solid player overall
-He is capable at creating his own shot
Weaknesses:
- Bad at getting steals
- Lacks consistency with his floor awareness in defensive sitations
- Not terrible, but not very good at steals and forcing turnovers

Nuka Seyde:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Chris Paul / All-NBA
Floor: C.J Watson / Bench
Strengths:
- Unselfish and skilled ball distributor, makes the occasional mistake
- His ability to make plays is great
Weaknesses:
- Bad is the best way to describe his ability to steal the ball

Mike Cliff:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N.A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Has a knack of knowing where his teammates are at all times
- Has a very solid mid-range shooting ability
- Very skilled shooter from long distances
Weaknesses:
- Tends to make poor decisions with playing a man on defense
- Doesn't seem to be as good of a rebounder as he probably should be
- Preforms poorly when posted up

Noah Jackson:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: DeMar DeRozan / All-Star
Floor: Joe Harris / Bench
Strengths:
- Creative ball handling skills help him get out of sticky situations
- Is very comfortable shooting the NBA 3 pointer
- Solid ability at running the point
Weaknesses:
- Crafty offensive players will beat him in a man defense regularly
- Slow to grasp new defense; often appears unaware

Chad Moya:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Bill Cartwright / Starter
Floor: Gary Trent / Bench
Strengths:
- Could be a very useful player right away in the system
- If a mid-range shot is to be taken, he is your guy
Weaknesses:
- Suspect defense in the low post, can hold his own on occasion
- Has shown very little ability to block shots
- Pulls down the occasional rebound, not nearly consistent enough

Jimmy Green:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Has very solid mid-range shooting ability
- Very skilled shooter from long distance
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't hold his position too well in the low post on defense
- Tends to make poor decisions with playing a man on defense
- Doesn't appear to have the tools to be a shot blocker

Zack Knight:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Very consistent rebounder at both ends of the floor
- If properly utilized, can help out nicely right away
- Rarely needs the help of a double team; plays solid man defense
Weaknesses:
- Jumpshot with any range is a big question mark with this guy
- Larger players have an easy time moving him around the low post

Colin Campbell:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Knows when to hit the boards; pulls down a fair amount of rebounds
- Should definitely be a serviceable player for years to come
- Has knack for blocking shots; solid defencer
Weaknesses:
- Hasn't shown much ability to finish at the hoop
- Doesn't have much mid-range shooting ability
- Lacks consistency with his floor awareness in passing situations

LeSane Jones Jr.
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Is capable of making long-range shots in traffic
- Has a knack for knowing where to be on offense
- Has a nice shooting form, hits the mid-range shots regularly
Weaknesses:
- Gets his shots blocked too often attacking the basket
- Hasn't shown any ability to steal the ball
- Larger players have an easy time moving him

Steve Acres:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Has good, but not great, shot blocking skills at this state in his development
- Very consistent rebounder at both ends of the floor
Weaknesses:
- Hasn't shown any ability to steal the ball
- Below average court vision hurts his otherwise fair repertoire

Simon Boone:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Overall, this kid has got some game and can definitely contribute
Weaknesses:
- He wont be someone that you can count on to strip the ball on defense
- Speed is questionable, as as his finishing skills at the hoop

Zach Miller:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Hits the mid range jumpers with some consistency
- Is a good low post scorer
-Has his rough spots, but a solid player overall
Weaknesses:
- Hasn't shown he has the ability to be a shot blocker
- Lack of athleticism inhabits his ability to finish at the rim

Ross Burton
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: Eddie Johnson / Starter
Floor: Tony Bennett / Bench
Strengths:
- Has his rough spots, but a solid player overall
- Has very solid long-range shooting ability
- Can depend on him to drive the basket and score
Weaknesses:
- Not Terrible, but not very good at steals and forcing turnovers
- bad at getting steals
- Lacks consistency with his floor awareness in defensive situations

Jacob Jackson:
NBA Comparison
Ceiling: N/A
Floor: N/A
Strengths:
- Should Definitely be a serviceable player for years to come
Weaknesses:
Below average playmaker in the draft
- Doesn't seem to be as good of a rebounder as he probably should be
- just not that good at getting steals

[nuka]

2018 Awards
MVP: Russell Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
6th Man of the Year: Jeremy Lin - Brooklyn Nets
Defensive Player of the Year: Andre Drummond - Detroit Pistons
Most Improved Player: Domantas Sabonis - Indiana Pacers
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr - Golden State Warriors

Playoffs
Round 1

(1) GS
(8) DEN
GS won 4-0

(4) SA
(5) NO
NO won 4-1

(3) OKC
(6) POR
POR won 4-3

(2) HOU
(7) MIN
HOU won 4-3


---

(1) BOS
(8) DET
BOS won 4-1

(4) PHI
(5) MIL
PHI won 4-2

(3) WAS
(6) NY
WAS won 4-0

(2) CLE
(7) MIA
CLE won 4-3


Round 2

(1) GS
(5) NO
GS won 4-2

(2) HOU
(6) POR
HOU won 4-3

---

(1) BOS
(4) PHI
PHI won 4-2

(2) CLE
(3) WAS
CLE won 4-2


ROUND 3

(1) GS
(2) HOU
HOU won 4-3

--

(2) CLE
(4) PHI
CLE won 4-1


FINALS
(2) HOU vs (2) CLE
HOU wins 4-1
MVP: James Harden

[nuka]

Retires, Jersey Retirements updated at top

[nuka]

Pre-Lottery


1. Mavericks - 25%
2. Hawks - 19.9%
3. Raptors [Lottery else BKN] - 15.6%
4. Magic - 11.9%
5. Suns - 7.6%
6. Pacers - 7.5%
7. Lakers [Top 4 else PHI] - 2.9%
8. Cavaliers [via BKN] - 2.9%
9. Bulls - 2.9%
10. Hornets - 1.1%
11. Clippers - 0.8%
12. Kings - 0.7%
13. Grizzlies - 0.6%
14. Jazz [Lottery else MIN] - 0.5%



POST LOTTERY

14. Utah Jazz
13. Memphis Grizzlies
12. Sacramento Kings
11. L.A Clippers
10. Charlotte Hornets
9. Chicago Bulls
8. Philadelphia 76ers
7. Indiana Pacers [VIA LAL]
6. Phoenix Suns
5. Toronto Raptors
4. Atlanta Hawks
3. Cleveland Cavaliers [VIA BRK]
2. Orlando Magic
1. Dallas Mavericks