Post by Deleted on May 23, 2022 2:57:40 GMT -8
The season of Wilt tanking is upon us. While a handful of teams have scoured rosters and trade scenarios trying to tweak and improve their roster enough for deep title runs and healthy number of teams have gutted and slashed their roster and talent in the hopes of improving their odds of drafting a once in a generation talent. Here we take a look at the initial power rankings for tankers heading into the season.
1. New Jersey Nets: Preseason Record 2-14
Current Roster Talent: Minimal
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Minimal
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Minimal
The Nets are the obvious frontrunner to finish the race to the bottom with the worst record in the league. They have unarguably the worst roster currently constructed, and I don't think they have a single player that will average more than 20 ppg (though Stump might). They are also aided by the fact that nearly every team in their division is trying to make the playoffs. The only exception currently are the Celtics however they have way too much talent to even sniff the Nets when it comes to accruing losses. After tanking without their pick in the 2040 draft things could turn around very quickly in New Jersey.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Preseason Record 2-10
Current Roster Talent: Minimal
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Slight
Competition from Tankings Teams in Division: Intense
Eddy has done a great job slashing talent fast in an offseason that was somewhat difficult to navigate for teams trying to sell talent and sell it fast. There really isn't a ton of talent on their roster currently except for Vern Mikkelsen and Lebron Johnson, although neither of these players are enough to ruin a tank. They are slightly hampered by the number of teams in their division that are trying to tank/slash talent. Currently the Jazz are trying to bottom out and the Spurs and Grizzlies are poised to be pretty poor teams this upcoming season as well (the Spurs by intent and the Grizzlies by just being unintentionally bad). If they can trade Johnson and Vern they could likely finish with the second worst record in the league.
Lottery Balls on my mind
3. Golden State Warriors: Preseason Record 4-12
Current Roster Talent: Poor
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Minimal
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Moderate
The Warriors finished with the worst record in the league last season with a putrid 8 win regular season but just because of talent cutting across the league may easily double their win total. I didn't add much talent except for Wayne through the draft but he will likely put up good enough numbers to cost me a game or two. I also probably shouldn't have signed Patterson but he was intriguing as a 4th year player who should have still been on his rookie deal and he had put up some good numbers in Toronto. I still may be able to move him in a deal if he sims well but who knows. Also Barrett is pretty unmovable and is a solid player despite his pedestrian ratings. There are also a few teams in the Pacific division that would like bottom out (Clippers, +/- Suns) which could lead to an extra win or two for the Warriors this season.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Preseason Record 2-13
Current Roster Talent: Moderate
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Moderate
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Intense
The Grizzlies wouldn't have been this high before preseason but there is no denying that their performance was pretty putrid. The team has some talent so I doubt they're that bad in the regular season but the potential to bottom out is there. Ivey was a solid pickup for a tanking campaign as he will turn it over more than a rock tumbler. If Rex wants to get serious about it though he needs to deal Rixey fast. I'm not sure where the fits would be as a trade partner with his current salary but I think he could find a home. As previously mentioned the Midwest has the highest number of tanking teams which makes it even more imperative to trade talent quickly.
5. San Antonio Spurs: Preseason Record 4-9
Current Roster Talent: Poor
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Slight
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Intense
The Spurs will not be good this upcoming season. They missed the playoffs in Royal's contract year and arguably their best player in Wanzer retired (how did I not hear about this earlier
). They could improve their odds by dealing Hudson and Lewis but currently ashes is holding out for something other than expiring contracts for these players. I would simply move them for the cap space as I don't see a buyer for them at the price of a pick, and even a handful of extra wins could be the difference in the race this upcoming season. It will be intriguing to see how long they stay on his roster.6. Boston Celtics: Preseason Record 3-5
Current Roster Talent: Moderate
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: High
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Minimal
Why the hell is Jax still on this roster? I think Charles is holding out for more than one first and Jax certainly should bring more than one. I'm curious on the offers he has received for Jax as he is 32 and expiring but I find it hard to believe there wasn't at LEAST a decent offer given to him. I understand not wanting to max Costello and being stuck with him during a tank but by that same logic you should trade your vet star too. Rip Gish is also another solid player and although I'm not sure what the market is for him the Celtics need to get him off the books as well. The good news is that if Boston can trade these players they would rocket up the tank ladder and possibly compete with New Jersey for the worst record in the league.
What is Boston's plan this season?
7. Cleveland Cavaliers: Preseason Record 6-10
Current Roster Talent: Slight
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Slight
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Non-existent
The Cavaliers have the fortune of nobody else in their division out-right tanking this upcoming season. The Hawks, Hornets, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, and Raptors are all making strong playoff pushes. The Bulls would probably like to tank but they have way too much talent to do so in my opinion. The Cavaliers do have some roster talent left that they could move but I'm not sure what the market is. They also have a couple young players that are probably part of their long-term plans but may hamper their short-term tank wars battle. I think they could finish a lot closer to the bottom 3 teams than currently ranked.
8. Utah Jazz: Preseason Record 8-7
Current Roster Talent: Moderate
Ability to Flash Roster Talent: Moderate
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Intense
The success of Utah's attempt to bottom out will hinge on their ability to trade their remaining talent quickly. I know this may be stating the obvious but that's where they sit right now heading into the regular season. They've off-loaded some talent in the off-season but Jackson and company will simply win them too many games (especially in the Midwest division) to finish with a poor enough record to feel comfortable with their lottery chances. The story may be different if they were in the position the Cavaliers were in but that isn't the case. I think we see the Jazz make a move to unload their guys in the next 24 hours.
9. Portland Trail Blazers: Preseason Record 3-14
Current Roster Talent: Moderate
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: High
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Moderate
I wouldn't' have had the Blazers in the top 10 before preseason but here we are. I know Noble didn't start and Loathe didn't play at all so it doesn't hold much weight but it's hard to ignore their record and stats. I think the blazers are uniquely positioned to bottom out. Perry was a surprising signing on a max but if the Blazers want to tank he may be the perfect starting PG to do so. Without the preseason they wouldn't have cracked the top 10 but I felt the need to at least mention the possibility.
10. Los Angeles Clippers: Preseason Record 9-3
Current Roster Talent: Moderate
Ability to Slash Roster Talent: Moderate
Competition from Tanking Teams in Division: Moderate
The Clippers had a surprisingly strong preseason however I'm not sure how indicative of regular season success this will be. They do have some solid players, but they only mustered 106 ppg on offense. I think they'll finish a lot closer to the 5-7 range in the tank wars and possibly even higher if they're able to move on from Bagley fairly quickly. I do however think there's too much overall talent to push for a bottom 3 record in the league.
The prize at the end of the shit-smeared rainbow
