I sent out a little survey about the easiest and hardest GMs to trade with. Here is a synthesis of what I heard back. Let's all be good sports about what we read and maybe even use what is written here to make ourselves easier to deal with. Merry Christmas!

Proid (+8) 8

Proid wins the gold standard of trading excellence with eight GMs singing his praises and not one bad word said about his style. His admirers say that Proid comes to you with a complete deal laid out and is quick to answer. Proid never really fishes and doesn’t try to squeeze the most out of a deal. He is also consistently good for his word, even if circumstances shift and backing out will benefit his team. Proid will look at a deal holistically and not try to scrutinize every single detail.

Leeroy (+5, -1) 4

GMs credited Leeroy with being decisive, leading to clean negotiations that don’t drag on forever. He is considered honest and good for his word. He is great to chat with on ICQ and makes fair deals. The one GM who spoke out against Leeroy said he’s frustrating to work with because he only trades with his brother Smokey.

Laddas (+4) 4

Laddas is another GM the people on our panel enjoy dealing with. He is considered a positive presence who always keeps his word. He doesn’t use mind games or manipulation ever and treats you with respect.

Dazman (+2) 2

Dazman didn’t get too much feedback, but the two guys who did mention him had nothing but good things to say. They said he was “easygoing” and straightforward to work with in the trading scenario. Daz doesn’t pressure you into anything, communicates well and gives you time to think.

Merencio (+3, -1) 2

Merencio, a new GM, already has made fans and enemies. He has been called flexible and gets right down to business instead of monkeying around. GMs like that he is “hassle free” to deal with. Not all GMs felt the same way. One said that Merencio is hard to deal with you and will continue pestering you about a player long after a deal is dead.

Smokey (+3, -1) 2

Smokey, like his brother, is credited with being honest and fair. One GM said he tries to make deals that are beneficial for both parties. People feel that he’s honest and doesn’t try to milk you for everything that you have. The one GM who spoke out against Smokey said he’s frustrating to work with because he only trades with his brother Leeroy.

Darko (-1, +3) 2

GMs like Darko’s prompt responses when engaged in trade talks. He is considered knowledge and knows the value of his guys. Only one guy had something negative to say, calling the veteran GM erratic in his opinions and claiming that he’s known for backing out of deals.

DJDrew (+2) 2

Drew gets props for being easy to work with and for being someone who knows exactly what he wants in a deal. He makes deals quickly and decisively.

Dunadan (+2) 2

Tim is considered a friendly trade partner who comes up with fair deals.

Daved (+1) 1

Daved only received one mention, but it was a good one. That GM said that Daved knows what he wants in a trade situation and doesn’t stall negotiations with stalling. He gives a quick reply and doesn’t drag things out.

Greenmig (-1, +2) 1

Some GMs liked to work with LAL GM Greenmig, calling him courteous and professional. One said that he is eager to make deals work that benefit both sides of the coin. The one negative commenter said that Greeny will back out of deals.

Mavs4life (+1) 1

He was called “positive” and “reasonable” by the one GM who wrote in about him.

Loose (+1) 1

Not much was said about Loose except that he was easy to deal with.

Alejandro (-1) -1

The only person who nominated Alejandro was himself. He voted himself “difficult” to deal with. Probably because he’s not really that active in the league, although his team is actively kicked our asses.

CarlSpackler (-1)  -1

The Kings GM is quickly turning into the NLL ghost with lack of response to trade inquiries.

Sheed (-1, +1) 0

Sheed had one supporter, calling him “responsive” and “easygoing.” However, Sheed has been known to back out of deals.

Wallrus (-1) -1

The GM who listed WallRus as a bad trade partner did not supply any specific information why.

VT (+1, -3) -2

VT is considered a strong trader, but some GMs don’t like that he doesn’t come in with a firm offer, instead taking the exploratory route. Another GM called the commish “stubborn” and said if you want a deal that’s good for your own team, you shouldn’t bother dealing with VT. He is also been known to overvalue his players.

Nick (-3, +1) -2

One GM said that Nick is always trying to rip off his trading partners. Another complained that GM takes an agonizingly long time to make a deal, trying to wring as much out of you as possible before he agrees, even if it’s one more GM point or a 2^nd round pick. On the other hand, Nick was called a straight shooter and someone who makes transactions smooth.

Rasho (-2) -2

Rasho’s critics claim that the GM takes way too long to respond, a cardinal sin in the fast and furious world of an NLL GM. Rasho is considered a tease, telling you that he is extremely interested but then will vanish for days, resurfacing only to ask for something ridiculous to be thrown in. He is also known to overvalue his guys.

Tmac (-2) – 2

Tmac didn’t get too many mentions, but the ones that did come in weren’t too good. He is considered unfair in his dealings, looking only to rip off his opponents.

Dare (-2) -2

GMs complain that Dare makes his trade partners wait forever while he decides. He was also called “dishonest,” trying to trade a player that had just been waived in the NBA in hope that he could dupe someone into taking him. Dare also called himself one of the worst to deal with.

Houndy (-2) -2

Houndy’s critics claim the young GM is all talk and no action. He will drag out negotiations forever and then just vanish, even when he’s the one initiating the offer! He was also called “annoying” to deal with and “indecisive.”

Juvenile (-3) – 3

A few guys complained about the TOR GM. One summed it up: He asks for your players but never wants to pay the price. Something like: he says, "I want A."  And you answer, "Okay, then I want B." He says, "Not available." You ask, “Is C available?" "Nope,” he says. And then you ask again, "Who is available then?" He says, "Nobody." Another GM said he was rude in his responses and never wants to deal with him again. GMs complained that Juvenile will ignore messages or not respond in a prompt manner.

Badwolf (+1, -5) -4

Badwolf has the reputation of always overvaluing his players and undervaluing yours. One GM said he won’t make a deal unless he’s getting the better end of it, even if it means hurting his own team. He always wants to “win” in a deal by a landslide, adding protections and conditions on each and every little thing, killing the fun in making deals. Maybe this GM summed it up best: “Badwolf won’t make a deal unless he’s raping you. Even then he won’t do it, unless he can jam his balls in there also.”

And what did the positive GM have to say? Well, it’s kind of backhanded: “I know he kinda has a rep for being hard to deal with, but I actually think he is one of the most reasonable GMS, once you adjust your expectations to his perceived values (ie, a king’s ransom for young guys).”

Pennywise (-5, +1) -4

Pennywise doesn’t have many fans. His critics claim that the Phoenix GM only offers deals that are completely one-sided. They also called him rude and manipulative. One GM complained that Penny tried to make him feel bad when he got the better end of a deal while another called him “hostile." Another GM said he would no longer deal with Penny ever again, comparing him to the Arabian Black Market- claiming that he tries to convince that all of his players are gold while yours are worth coal. One GM called him a “shark” who is always looking for the next rip-off deal. Many GMs feel like Penny doesn’t respect them.

Penny’s sole supporter said the GM does often send over fair proposals.

Javijoe (-8, +1) -7

Is Javijoe the worst active GM to deal with? Our survey says yes, like a definite yes. Many GMs said dealing with Javi is a maddening exercise and many no longer want to deal with him. Among the Minny GM's major sins: taking forever to make a decision, counteroffering with something completely different than what was on the table, backing out on deals at the last minute, wasting everyone’s time. One GM related dealing with Javi like “pulling teeth.” Javi will also just vanish in the middle of negotiations, leaving you totally hanging. He also will post deals that are different than what you agree on with him, trying to sneak in a little something extra for himself in the hope you don't notice it and just accept. Isn’t funny that the one GM who give Javi a vote of confidence is the same guy who likes dealing with Badwolf?!

One GM summed it up best: “Ever tried to go out to a party with your girlfriend and get there on time? That's what dealing with Javi is like. He takes so long to get ready that it's almost not worth going to the party. He'll change his mind on 5 different outfits before he leaves the house. Dealing with him is like attempting to high five someone, who then needs to ask 10 other people if he should high five you back or not, all the while you're left there hanging like a fool. High fives with him is a small miracle. I get the sense that he is way too conscious of the public opinion of trades; that he doesn't trust himself enough to pull the trigger on anything. I'm not completely sure that he even knows what he wants half the time, and that he needs to get the perspective from his team of "advisors" before he even replies to your message. Not worth the time and energy half the time. You have to have a lot of patience if you want to deal with javi.”

Dert-

 I’ll let one guy sum up the worst trading GM of all time… (I agree!)

“I know he isn't in the league anymore but man he has to be on here, if there was a Hall of Fame for the worse he is first priority. He could make an offer and you could reply back and not hear back from him for about a month. I remember offering him a trade and he was super interested.... Then that was it.... only for 2 weeks later the trade to be offered on the site to my shock... Man, he was real tough.”