After participating in Sports Business Classroom’s GM Academy in December, my perspective and appreciation for the work it takes to make a trade in the NBA have changed forever.

Before SBC, my perspective was like most fans, caught up in the excitement of a rapidly changing NBA landscape with the prospect of big names swapping teams. After the mock trade deadline, I have a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of a deal.

Even in our simulated environment, we spent a significant amount of time determining our franchise’s direction. Actual NBA teams spend months preparing for the deadline.

A decision might be motivated by salary cap relief and a distant future. Some teams will try to take the final steps into championship contention.

Over the first few months of the season, franchises look inward. Are they better or worse than expected? Does a critical injury hurt or, if the competition loses a star player, help?

At SBC, squads were given time to work internally to self-reflect. Just as the NBA heats up, herding into January with franchises collecting information ahead of the February deadline so too did GM Academy enter a “Tampering Period,” where discussions were legal but official agreements off-limits.

The goal was to reach deals in principle, hoping to have agreements ready to go once the trade window officially opened. What developed was an understanding that a trade wasn’t about trying to rip off the other side.

Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard, who spoke to the class, emphasized that the goal of a deal should be to help both sides get to a better spot than they were previously.

Other current general managers echoed similar sentiments, including the Miami Heat’s Andy Elisburg, Houston Rockets’ Rafael Stone, and Orlando Magic’s John Hammond. Getting the collective wisdom from actual front office executives was enlightening. The NBA is more about relationships than making sure a deal gets through a trade machine.

Of course, understanding the salary cap mechanics of a deal is vital. Lessons from Larry Coon helped us get through the complexities.

And not every deal was about the players. Some centered around draft compensation, luxury taxes, and future considerations. The amount of detail needed to protect a draft pick was intense.

After being put through the gauntlet like a general manager, completing an actual (well, virtual) deal at GM Academy was an incredible feat that gave me a much greater appreciation of the trade deadline itself. For anyone aspiring to work in a professional basketball front office, participating in an event like this is an absolute must.

For an invaluable experience, register for the 2022 Business of Basketball Immersive Experience at Las Vegas Summer League today.