Overall team ranking question

Question regarding 2000 franchise gameplay:

In terms of the overall team ranking, what formula does the Live database use to calculate where a given team ranks 1-29? I ask primarily because I am on the fifth seasion of a franchise mode, using the Wizards sans Michael Jordan; my starting five is Carmelo Anthony(83 overall rating), Jerry Stackhouse (81), Kwame Brown (75), Brendan Haywood (76) and Larry Hughes (75). After simulating the first four seasons (three of them without Carmelo), these Wiz failed to qualify for the postseason and never won more than 24 games in a 56 game season. 2004-05, I'm controlling the squad, and have the Wiz at 23-11 in mid-February.

The Live Database has ranked the Wiz at #24 and #23 leaguewide over the course of this season . . . in an effort to improve my size, depth and experience upfront, I executed a trade sending two bench players (a CPU-created SF rated 74, and Christian Lattener, rated 75) to Toronto for PFs Jerome Williams (76) and Antonio Davis (73).

Post this deal, the cpu rates the Wiz at #27 overall. How could this be, especially considering that the CPU SF was one of four players at that position on my roster prior the trade. The deal seemed then to not only afford my roster needed girth upfront then, but diversified my bench lineup. I've experienced similar quandaries over my years playing this game, and am just curious as to whether your staff might provide any insight. Thanks.

It's calculated by the overall ratings of the players on the roster, as well as the other rankings of the team. For example, if a trade improves the overall scoring of your team slightly, at the cost of rebounding, then your lowered rebounding rank will pull down your team's overall rating.

Thanks, Andrew.

So the age of the players on a team's roster does not negatively impact overall rating -- aside the extent to which age relates to that player's individual rating? In other words, the Live Database doesn't assign more value to a player in his twenties over a similarly rated player in his thirties?
Many appreciations for your insight.

Age isn't a factor in determining overall rating. Age only plays a part in free agency (older players cannot demand as much money for their services and won't sign long term deals if they are nearing the end of their career), retirement and whether a player will still improve or start declining. As far as calculating ratings and rankings, age has no bearing on either.

Thanks, again.

Actually...the team ranking is affected more by the field called "rtgadjust" than anything else...your Wizards might have a negative value there...set it to 5000 and they'll always be first and never lose if you sim...or just set everyone to 0 and it's only based on player ratings then...well...mostly...

Thanks, friend. I knew there was some other, unspoken factor impacting team ranking. Appreciate the confirmation.