[GMO123]

It can be difficult to code the AI for trades and player management.

For trades the preference of the GM and coaches have to be taken into consideration.
Whether a team wants a player in a trade various factors have to be taken into consideration.

Is the team offensive-focused, or defensive-focused or does it take a balanced approach? An offensive player would be wanted and worth more to an offensive-oriented team than a defensive-type team.

If a play-maker is offered in a trade, does the team need another play-maker or are they over-loaded with them and therefore doesn't really want the player or would put a low valuation on the player?

Does the GM/owner want to win now or are they rebuilding? A good veteran player would be worth more to a team that wants the Stanley Cup this year but a draft pick would be worth more to a team that's starting to rebuild.

If a player is offered to a team in a trade the team also has to look at the salary cap.

How much the owner is willing to spend has to be taken into consideration.

The situation also affects it. Let's say an offense-oriented team has the best 5 offensive players in the league. It's now offered the 6th best offensive player in a trade.
Compare this to the same team that wants to be offensive-focused but has no top offensive players. It's now offered the 6th best offensive player in the league.
The team in the 2nd example would probably be willing to offer more to get the player than in the 1st example.

There are also other factors that have to be taken into consideration when a team is offered (or wants to offer) a player in a trade such as the quality of the player, scouting reports, the future prediction for this player (is he predicted to be a star or not), age of the player (is the player getting old and therefore will get worse over time), temperament, statistical analysis (points/salary, rating/salary etc.) etc.

It can get complicated.