The PLUS ONE concept...

Here’s the theory of the PLUS ONE principle just voted in. 

At the end of every JBL season, teams get an allotment of keepers for the next season based on where they finish in the JBL standings. We all know 1^st to 4^th gets up to 4 keepers; 5^th -8^th gets 3 keepers; 9^th-12^th gets 2 keepers; and now 13^th and 14^th will get 1 keeper and last place (15^th) gets ZERO keepers. 

Now, with the PLUS ONE concept, each team gets one EXTRA keeper spot over and above that allotment, as long as the PLUS ONE player has the R1*, R2*, R3*, R4* status. Even last place could now get at least 1 keeper with the new rule.  

Note: An R4* player can be protected in the PLUS ONE spot...and then the following year becomes a R5 - FINAL player (who would not be eligible for protection as that's the last year of keeper eligibility. Also, no more * noted)

Starting in 2022, rookies drafted in the JBL rookie draft will have the R#* status and 5 year keeper eligibility.  R for rookie. The # represents the year of the contact. The * indicates eligibility for the PLUS ONE spot. 

And since this is a new rule, only 2022 rookies, drafted in the 1^st or 2^nd round of the JBL rookie draft, will be eligible in this 1^st year. Of course, in the seasons coming, 2023, 2024, etc, all players picked in those JBL Rookie draft will also become eligible. 

Example: In the 2022 JBL rookie draft, some team will select Jaden Ivey. He will be given R1* status in the Contract field. At the end of the 22/23 JBL season, let’s say that the team that drafted Ivey finished 7^th. They get 3 keepers. So, they can keep 3 players plus they can keep Ivey in the PLUS ONE spot (because he’s a 2022 rookie and was drafted in the Rookie Draft). So ultimately, that 7^th place team now has 4 players heading into the following season.

 

Some Q&A

Q. Can I sign a 2022 rookie from the Free Agent pool during the season and then protect him in the PLUS ONE spot?

A. No. A rookie signed off the waiver wire would not get R* status. Sure, they can be protected, but not in the Plus One spot.

 

Q. Arctic has Jalen Green, who will be R2 this year. At the end of the season, can Arctic protect him in his PLUS ONE spot?

A. No. Jalen Green is a 2021 drafted rookie. Only 2022 (and beyond) drafted rookies will be eligible for the PLUS ONE spot.  A player with the R#* is eligible for the PLUS ONE spot. 

 

Q. In the example above, Jaden Ivey (R1*) can be protected in the Plus One spot for the 2023/24 season. Can I protect him again in the Plus One spot in future years?

A. Yes, any player, drafted as a rookie in the 2022 rookie draft (and beyond), as long as they have the R#* status, can be protected in the Plus One spot.

 

Q. How will I know the difference and whether a player can be protected in the Plus One keeper spot?

A. Any player with a R#* status (the asterix is the key) will be eligible for the keeper spot.

 

Q. If a rookie is drafted in the JBL rookie draft, then released, then signed as a Free Agent – will he be able to be protected in the Plus One spot?

A. No. Once released and signed, that player just has the regular 1, 2, FINAL, contract status. If eligible, they could still be protected under the normal team’s allotment of keepers.

Q. What if I have 2 rookies, both R1* status, do I get 2 extra keeper spots?

A. No. It's called Plus ONE. You can protect one of your eligible players in the PLUS ONE spot and the other player would/could be protected in your normal keeper allotment based on your finish in the Standings. 

 

The upcoming poll will be to determine one other piece of eligibility for the R#* players.  

There are 2 options.

1.    Any rookie/player drafted in the JBL rookie draft (and who has the R#* status) is eligible to be protected in the PLUS ONE spot provided they remain on the same team that drafted them in their original rookie draft  (DRAFT ONLY eligible)

 2. Any rookie/player with the R#* status is eligible for the PLUS ONE spot whether they were drafted by the original team or traded to another JBL team (DRAFT/TRADE eligible)