THE MANUAL
How the game works
THE BASICS
Player ratings & letter grades
Why an A is rare and a C isn't an insult
Starters, rotations & out-of-position play
Building a lineup, pinning slots, minutes, and why your backup center hates playing the wing
Importing leagues & Basketball GM files
What carries over, what stays behind, and why imported ratings are rescaled
Real Players
Where the built-in roster comes from and how its grades are made
RUNNING YOUR FRANCHISE
Coaching staff
One head coach, two assistants, and how they shape your team
Free agency, Bird rights & the cap
Cap holds, Bird rights, the re-sign window, RFA matching, extensions, and how free agents decide
Trades, the deadline & pick protection
Reading the verdict, making a legal deal, and following a protected first