There will be plenty of attention over the next two months regarding the race for the top seeds in each conference. Several other teams will be aiming for one of the three bottom seeds.
While the lottery odds were changed a few years ago, it hasn’t discouraged tanking. The teams that finish with the three worst records have a 14 percent chance of getting the top pick.
That strategy paid off for the Pistons last season, as they rested several starters in the final weeks of the season and wound up with the second-worst mark. They won the lottery and drafted the consensus top pick, Cade Cunningham.
The Rockets, who lost their way to the worst record, still got the second pick and chose Jalen Green.
Lo and behold, those same two teams are well-positioned for a top-three pick again this year, though there’s more mystery which player will go No. 1. Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are currently the top candidates.
The Magic entered the All-Star break with the worst record, with the Pistons and Rockets just “behind” them in the race for the bottom. However, another team or two could crash the tanking party. The Thunder, Pacers, Kings, Pelicans and Spurs have also won fewer than 40 percent of their games, though New Orleans must convey its pick to the Trail Blazers if it’s between No. 5 and No. 14.
Speaking of the retooling Blazers, it’s conceivable they could go on a long losing streak, though with 25 wins in the bank it would difficult to drop near the bottom. The Pacers, who also went into rebuild mode, could be another prime candidate for a nosedive.
That leads us to our question of the day: Which three teams do you foresee finishing with the worst records this season and gaining the best lottery odds?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
I thought this article was put on today bc the Nix nixxed Walker to start the tank. But then Thibs announced Burks, so they are un-tanking?
Last year’s tankers are still at it.
The Magic still have it IMO.
Magic, Rockets, Pistons.
Thunder if they fake injuries again to Shai and/or Giddey will be 4th.
The top of this draft doesn’t excite me at all. I do think Holmgren has major upside if he can add some weight to his frame. His game is nice
Worst records will be Magic, Pistons and Thunder.
Think the Rockets will actually win a few with Sengun getting more minutes, Schroder balling out for his next contract, Wood will return, Green and KPJ will want to finish strong aswell.
Pacers will still win games they have a bunch of guys trying to show off what they can do. Haliburton, Turner, Heild, Jalen Smith, TJ Warren if he returns and ofcourse Lance Stephenson.
Kings Spurs and Pelicans will be trying to get a play in spot.
Hasn’t been mentioned but I think the Wizards fall back quickly with Beal gone, no Dinwiddie and KP often injured. They still haven’t settled on a centre with Bryant and Gafford
Hopefully rockets finish dead last and it gets Silas fired that guy couldn’t coach his way out of a paper bag. The rockets have a decent core moving forward (would look a lot better if they kept Jarrett Allen or drafted Mobley).
Pistons will finish in bottom 3. Holmgren to DET would be nice.
Will most likely have to move on from Casey though he is a good leader. DET will want to hand the keys to an up-and-coming young coach.