LogFAQs > #924341059

Sign and trades flourish here because unlike real life you can definitely keep a player if you want him (unless you really pissed them off). It's not like true free agency where once a contract is up, everyone gets a fair crack at him. If the original team wants to keep that player then they can without anyone else getting a shot at him.

So people will happily give up assets for sign and trades for 3 reasons.

1. You don't know for sure that player will hit free agency. Original team isn't obligated to let him go or inform other users of their intention not to resign

2. You get the player guaranteed and don't have to compete with other offers for him

3. You get the player on a cheaper contract because of the original team eating the signing bonus / dead money and also not having to overpay him in FA to ensure he picks you over other teams