How to play the 73-9 game
The 73-9 game gives you five spins, five signings, and one hundred million dollars to build a starting five that can beat the greatest regular-season team in NBA history. Here is exactly how it works.
Spin the wheel
Each spin lands on a random NBA team-season from 1990 to today. That roster is your shopping list for this slot β you'll sign exactly one player from it.
Sign one player
Pick any player whose position is still open. Their price is what their deal would be worth against the 2026 cap, based on that season's stats. It's deducted from your bankroll.
Watch the budget
You start with $100M. Overspend on a star and you'll only be able to afford scrubs later β unaffordable players are greyed out. Re-spin for $10M if you don't like the team you landed on.
Fill all five positions
You need a PG, SG, SF, PF and C. Each signing fills its position slot, so plan around which stars play where.
Simulate the season
With five signed, run the 82-game simulation. See your projected record, your win percentage against the 73-9 Warriors, and the best squad you could have signed.
Strategy: hunt for underpaid greatness
The winning move in the 73-9 game is never five superstars β you cannot afford them. It is finding players who were elite in a specific season but priced below their real impact: a defensive anchor, a hyper-efficient role scorer, a young star before the mega-extension. Two smart value signings can buy you one more marquee name.
Because you can only sign a player whose position is still open, order matters. If you land a stacked team early, take the most expensive star you love before the position closes β you may never see a season that good at that spot again. Weaker teams are perfect for filling your last, cheapest slot.
When to re-spin
Every re-spin costs $10M, so treat it as a real decision. Re-spin when the team you landed on has nothing at the positions you still need, or when everyone good is out of your price range. Don't re-spin just chasing a specific legend β the wheel doesn't owe you anyone, and the money burns fast.
If you're truly stuck β no affordable player at any open position β the game gives you a free re-spin so you're never soft-locked.