In the NBA, if you’re not a free agent destination you can rebuild your team through the draft. That can involve the process of tanking.
Tanking is a dirty word in the NBA. Losing on purpose for a higher pick in the draft is a strategy teams have been showcasing for decades. If you’re a squad that doesn’t attract the top free agent talents, it’s definitely something that’ll be considered.Before former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie made the word taboo, it wasn’t as much of a hot topic. Hinkie asked people to “Trust the process” without explaining exactly what it was, and he was forced out in Philadelphia for it.
The truth is that tanking can be a good strategy. If you stick to the plan until you find the rookies you want.
Look at Hinkie’s Sixers as an example. They have a bright future with Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons.
Despite Philly’s seemingly bright future, Hinkie’s legacy has clearly left teams skittish about it.
Tanking is risky, but it can also pay off. The controversial process has churned out stars like Tim Duncan (yes the Spurs tanked once), Hakeem Olajuwon, Anthony Davis, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James.
Here are five teams that should consider taking the plunge:
Dallas Mavericks (3-13)
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has so much emotionally invested in the result of his team that he’s actually come out and said that his team won’t tank, and for some reason insulted the 2017 draft class.
That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t. Dallas needs to start planning for a post-Dirk Nowitzki future. The face of their franchise for almost two decades is now 38-years-old and the team is so thin he’s playing center.
Harrison Barnes is a solid player but he’s not a legitimate No. 1 option on offense. Dallas needs to add more pieces, and considering they strike out on the top free agents literally every summer they need to try another way.
It’s been pretty clear during Cuban’s time in Dallas that he doesn’t care very much for the draft. Between selling and trading multiple picks, the Mavs treat the draft like an afterthought.
Wesley Matthews signed a 4-year, $70 million contract in 2015 and his play his been largely disappointing. He’s 30-years-old and in 93 games with the Mavs the sharpshooter is scoring just 12.7 points on 38.1% shooting.
Dallas needs to consider a change. Moving Matthews would be a start. They won’t have Dirk to fall back on forever and as fantastic a coach as Rick Carlisle is even he’s 3-13 right now. That’s saying something.
NEXT: Team No. 2
Miami Heat (5-12)
I know it’s sacrilege to suggest Pat Riley tank. He’s vowed to only rebuild through free agency and so far it’s worked for him. He’s won three championships as an executive with the Heat.
But after what happened with Dwyane Wade and what’s still happening with Chris Bosh, Riley can’t be a popular guy among NBA players. What if is Riley overestimating his ability as a closer without Wade to attract the top free agents?
The 2017 free agent crop is stacked and the Heat are in line to get a top-5 pick. Building around Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow is the right strategy.
Trading Whiteside — a ridiculously common rumor — would be a horrible idea and Riley would never do it, but there are other methods to take.
Moving Goran Dragic is the most obvious example. He’s scoring more this season (16.3) and making his three’s at a higher clip (.391) so his value is at its highest.
Before the season ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that Miami would consider trading Dragic if the team struggled early. Riley is one of the best executives so he’ll only trade his star point guard for the right deal.
Riley is also smart enough to know that he needs to consider a different strategy. He’s been flexible before, but tanking would be new.
NEXT: Team No. 3
Washington Wizards (6-10)
The Washington Wizards were two wins away from the Eastern Conference Finals just two seasons ago.
And if John Wall hadn’t have gotten hurt they might have gotten there. Now there are trade rumors about Wall — fueled by his admitted dislike for Bradley Beal — and the Wizards have started out slowly again this time with new head coach Scott Brooks.
The Wall-Beal experiment appears to have run its course. The constant injuries to Beal and rumored jealously from Wall over Beal’s new $128 million contract has perpetuated the need to make a change.
It’d be different if they were winning, but they have one of the league’s best point guards and they’re losing with him. Wall is signed through the 2018-19 season so they’ll be in no rush, and they don’t necessarily need to move him.
Otto Porter (a restricted free agent at the end of the season) is another good trade chip. They could finally move Marcin Gortat too.
NEXT: Team No. 4
Sacramento Kings (7-11)
DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Rudy Gay have all been the subject of trade rumors in Sacramento.
A massive rebuild might not be what new head coach Dave Joerger signed up for, but I doubt he wants to be the latest coach to get canned in the Boogie Cousins era.
The Kings need to think ahead. When Cousins is a free agent at the end of next season, what reason could they possibly give him to stay? All he’s experienced there has been losing.
There are two options Sacramento has if they chose the route of calculated intentional losing.
- Trade Boogie and blow things up. The return should be tremendous for an elite player in his prime.
- Trade Gay and WCS for picks and rebuild with new young guys around Boogie.
Option 1 is the way to go. The trade dance has gone on long enough between the Kings and Cousins. Move him already. Preferably to Boston so you can get one of those Nets picks.
NEXT: Team No. 5
Orlando Magic (7-11)
Frank Vogel is one of the best head coaches in the NBA. He was a great hire and already turned around the team’s defense. In his first season, they’re sixth in defensive efficiency and seventh in opponent’s effective field goal percentage (metric that accounts for the fact that a three is worth more than a two).
The Magic are on this list because they can’t score. They’re 29th in offensive efficiency, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage through 18 games.
Their rotation loaded with big men hasn’t worked out well. Aaron Gordon at small forward has been a disaster and Nikola Vucevic is putting up his worst numbers since his rookie season.
Gordon’s potential varies depending on who you talk to but right now he should still be in their future plans. Vucevic is great trade bait. He’s 26-years-old and signed for two more seasons on a reasonable deal.
Serge Ibaka‘s name will probably come up at the trade deadline too. Trading him would be a mistake. Ibaka’s been excellent this season, and Orlando gave away Victor Oladipo for him. A former vital part of their future.