Mavs' Cuban wonders if Thunder should tank, Scott Brooks shoots down idea

With Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and a host of others injured, the Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in a very tough spot, their playoff hopes still realistic but far more difficult than originally expected.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban isn't necessarily saying the Thunder should close up shop for the season in the face of all this adversity, but, well, let's just say he'd understand.

"The question I don't think anybody has asked is, why don't they pull a David Robinson and try to get Tim Duncan?" Cuban said Sunday. "I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just curious why the question hasn't been asked because I'm curious what the answer is."

As explained in the story below, even if Westbrook and Durant come back on reasonable timetables, the Thunder may struggle to push for a playoff spot. Cuban's thinking is that by accepting that fate and putting wins and losses aside, the Thunder could land another top pick to solidify their core for next season.

Of course, Cuban would probably love to eliminate a contender from the Western Conference race, making one fewer competitor for his Mavericks. But whether Cuban's motivation for the suggestion is based in curiosity or gamesmanship, the Thunder aren't biting.

"I didn't see those comments, but no," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "That's funny, though. But no, we've got a good group of guys in here. It's fun going into games knowing we're going to play with great effort, that we're going to be throwing our bodies all over the floor, that we'll be diving on the floor for loose, and that's what our fans want to see."

The Thunder could be getting some reinforcements this week, as several players with day-to-day injuries are nearing return. The timetables for Durant and Westbrook haven't changed, though, with the Thunder possibly facing another dozen or more games without their star duo.