... In this case, the decision was to severely limit the amount of players released as FAs ...
To be honest, that sounds like a step in the wrong direction, making players higher priced than ever when what the economy needs is more reasonable prices. If this is to be a basketball sim, that is.
If it is to be a training exercise
instead of a basketball sim, you are well on the way.
But I signed up and paid for a basketball sim.