The Golden State Warriors should be careful about how far they tank this season.
It wasn’t their plan at the beginning of the season but the Golden State Warriors have fallen into a deep pit this year.
Although the franchise hoped to remain competitive with the likes of Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green still active on the roster, it only took a few injuries to derail any postseason hopes the Warriors had.
Now, the Warriors sit at the bottom of the league standings with a 4-18 record. This is the Dubs worst start of the decade and is a far cry from the powerhouse dynasty they were just one year ago.
There is no doubt that the Warriors are looking to stay at the bottom of the standings and secure a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. However, tanking has never been a safe method of rebuilding.
Few teams have actually found success through tanking. The San Antonio Spurs lucked into Tim Duncan during the 1997 NBA Draft and are still the only example of a team finding instant success following a season of tanking.
Franchises such as the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets have spent years tanking only to find limited success. This was made even worse by the NBA’s adjusted Draft Lottery system which now evens out the odds across each lottery team.
The benefit of being the worst team in the league is now marginalized. As a result, tanking is no longer as effective. Last year, the three worst teams in the NBA (Cavaliers, Knicks, Suns) all missed out on the number one pick.
The Warriors must be careful about how far they allow this team to fall. Once Russell returns to the lineup, the Dubs should allow him to carry the team as far as he is capable of. There is no sense in limiting the young players on this roster in hopes of landing a solid draft pick.