Best way to play the Association mode?

I like playing the Association mode.

I mostly simulate games because I just get lazy to play all 82 games.
I also turn off CPU trade and I trade their players for other teams' players.
And I weekly look at the trade rumors to see how I can trade players.

I have a question though;
I play the Kings (Chose the weakest team I could think of) and guys like Tyreke Evans resign all the time. But the problem is the other players. For example, I trade good role players and a 2nd round draft pick for J.J. Hickson, Batum and Wesley Matthews. After the season I seem not to have enough cap room to resign Hickson.

Any tips on saving good players like Hickson with a team like the Kings?

I just find players who fit my style of play... I could use any back up pg with dimer to go along with any 3pt spot up shooters.
The players can change but in my system I use the same "types" of players. Even if you can't keep JJ hickson you can
find players with similar strengths for less money.