Not just that. You sell of your high picks for a fortune then get 20% off the cost of your NGA draftee, compounding the profit.
I'm in the minority not having a problem with the academies. It's just the payment system that stinks.
Its the double dipping that really kills the system.
Examples, : Gold Coast got Walter , valued at pick 3 , for 26+, but they also have an end of first round pick this year.
( Should have been forced to use their pick 4 ).
They also got Read , valued at pick 9 using points from 2nd round and later picks.
( should have been forced to use their future first round pick ).
They got Jack Rogers , valued at pick 14, should have been forced to use their second round pick.
Will Graham , valued at pick 26, should have been forced to use their 2024 second round pick.
If they'd been forced to use those picks, they'd still have gotten their academy players with very good value.
BUT: now they have around 4 picks in the first 20, and a full hand of second round picks in 2024 as well.
They made a couple of trades, but i don't think any of them netted them more than a second round pick.