3 NBA teams that should tank now
The word "tank" has gotten so much play in NBA circles over the last few years that one might believe they were at a Lockheed Martin trade show. Yet for all the talk about scuttling seasons in hopes of higher draft positions, few outside of the Philadelphia 76ers have truly employed the tactic (although the Sixers may have made up for everybody else by doing it for an extended period).
This season - like others - has prime candidates for a tank job, and even though they're not certain to go down that road, very strong cases can be made they should. The 2017 draft is believed by many to be the deepest in five years - especially at point guard - headlined by names like Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith, Josh Jackson, and Lonzo Ball.
Dallas Mavericks
Mark Cuban has shot down the notion of tanking. The billionaire owner even questioned the depth of the 2017 draft, saying he doesn't "see any Shaqs or LeBrons or Tim Duncans."
Yet a very real point must be made that the Mavericks may not have to do too much to finish with a terrible record - they could just be this bad (3-13 going into Tuesday). On one hand, 24-year-old Harrison Barnes isn't necessarily the worst player to have locked up for at least another three seasons. Andrew Bogut and Deron Williams come off the books next summer.
On the other hand, Wesley Matthews' contract ($53.5 million through 2019) doesn't help. Matthews is clearly not the same player he was before rupturing his Achilles as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015, and is hitting career lows in field goal percentage (35.3) 3-point percentage (36) and PER (9.7).
Despite the nature of his historically career-altering injury, the 30-year-old appears to still be a somewhat-capable defender. Whether another team would want to assume that aging risk, however, is another story.
Cuban has swung and missed spectacularly at big-name free agents in the past, and given the team has only missed the playoffs once in 16 years, they have never bottomed out on his watch. That's probably about to change. The only true downside is Dirk Nowitzki ending his career in a rebuilding project.
Sacramento Kings
Rudy Gay already wants out, and in an example of human endurance and fortitude that probably rivals being locked in a gas station bathroom for six years, DeMarcus Cousins has never publicly demanded a trade.
Tales of the Kings' front office incompetence are legion, but they could actually take a step in the right direction by blowing up this core and starting from scratch. There would obviously be very real concerns about Vlade Divac and Vivek Ranadive signing off on Cousins' trade value, but the fact is they risk losing him for nothing as a free agent after next season.
To compound matters, the Kings' first-round pick in June is only top-10 protected, meaning if they hit their expected ceiling - ninth or tenth in the West - they'll lose the selection to the Chicago Bulls.
The Kings have a spectacular new arena and, after much uncertainty, are ensconced in Sacramento for years to come. It's now time to reconstruct the squad on the floor.
Miami Heat
The last time Pat Riley and the Heat were in a situation like this was 2002-03, when a 25-57 record netted them Dwyane Wade in the draft. Even the superteam summer of 2010 was predicated solely on free agency, and Wade was still their franchise anchor.
Sure, the Heat have locked-up talent like Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic, but Riley, with his nine championship rings rattling off the table, knows that's not a title core.
For all the terrible misfortune of the Chris Bosh situation, it effectively should make the Heat's decision for them. Dragic especially could fetch value on the market - perhaps even recouping a first-round pick, like the one they gave up for him two years ago (the Heat's selection in June is only top-7 protected, or it goes to Phoenix). Dragic showcased his game Tuesday with a 27-point, 17-assist effort against the Boston Celtics.
Due to the fact they play in party-friendly and state income tax-free Florida, Miami will always have advantages in free agency. But that should be a supplement to their future plans, rather than an excuse not to reset from the ground up.