The Brooklyn Nets find themselves in a peculiar position as we approach the midway point of the NBA season. With a record of 13-24, we’re caught in a precarious balance between tanking for better draft odds and potentially sneaking into the play-in tournament. This situation demands careful consideration of our long-term goals and short-term competitiveness.
Currently, the Nets sit sixth in tank odds, which puts us on the cusp of significantly improving our chances for a top draft pick. If we can climb into the top five, our odds of landing a top-four pick jump from 34.8% to 42.1%, and our shot at the coveted number one overall selection increase from 8.3% to 10.5%. These may seem like small margins, but in the high-stakes world of the NBA draft lottery, every percentage point matters.
The challenge lies in the fact that we’re not just competing against the league’s bottom-dwellers. Despite their struggles, teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors still boast more raw talent on their rosters. Our unexpected early-season success has put us in a position where we need to make up ground quickly if we want to secure those better odds.
Looking at the standings, it’s clear that the race to the bottom is tight. The top six teams in the tank standings have gone a combined 11-49 in their last 10 games. Only the Utah Jazz have managed to win more than two games during that stretch. This level of “competition” makes it challenging to gain ground, even if we were to go on a prolonged losing streak.
The Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Rumors
Amidst our tanking considerations, trade rumors involving Cam Johnson and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been swirling. The Thunder, with their wealth of draft picks and young talent, present an intriguing trade partner. However, they’ve put restrictions on who they’re willing to include in a potential deal.
One name that keeps coming up is Nikola Jovic, a player OKC’s front office is reportedly very high on. While including Jovic would be a coup for the Nets, it seems unlikely given the Thunder’s attachment to him. This leaves us to consider what other assets OKC might be willing to part with to land Johnson.
The discussion around potential trades highlights the delicate balance we’re trying to strike between acquiring future assets and maintaining enough talent to remain competitive. As we navigate these waters, it’s crucial to remember that rebuilding is a process that requires multiple bites at the apple, not just one high-draft pick.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Nets’ tanking strategy and trade possibilities, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
• Analysis of potential OKC trade packages for Cam Johnson
• The impact of early-season wins on the Nets’ tanking efforts
• Breakdown of complex NBA draft pick protections and swaps
