With teams starting to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, more and more focus will be given to the talk about franchises “tanking” for a better lottery pick. Commissioner Adam Silver has denied that teams are losing on purpose, but that hasn’t quieted the chatter. There has been some talk of changing how the league determines draft order to combat this, but Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post doesn’t think the current system needs to be altered. Dempsey cites the fact that the team with the worst overall record rarely gets the top pick. In fact, since the lottery system began in 1985 only four teams have secured the first-overall pick, and none since 2004 when the Magic won the lottery and selected Dwight Howard. Dempsey also opines that losing now to try to secure a brighter future is a smart move, not one to be condemned.
More from around the league:
- Andrew Wiggins has reclaimed the top spot in the latest Draft Express rankings.
- Pooh Jeter said he is drawing interest from NBA teams for a possible 10-day contract in an interview with Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype.
- T.J. Simers of the Orange County Register analyzes the Lakers contract situation with Steve Nash in the wake of the player’s admission he will return in 2014/15 just because he wants to collect his salary. Nash is set to collect $9.7MM in the final year of his deal.