We've been using the word "tank" quite liberally. Clearly every team on this list isn't up to the same things. Some GMs have deliberately shaped their rosters in a way to get a high pick. Others have actually tried to put together a contender, only to find out that the on-court product (whether thanks to injuries or just bad management) hasn't performed as they had hoped.
Six weeks into the season, we are starting to get a clearer look at who intends to try to win -- and who doesn't. Here's our weekly look at where the worst teams in the NBA with a shot at the lottery stand in their quest for the No. 1 pick in the draft.
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1. Milwaukee Bucks | Status: Tanking? | Record: 5-19 (past week: 1-3)
The Bucks have been in the "trying" category all season, but there are signals that they are finally embracing the inevitable. Not only is Larry Drew finally giving big minutes to his young players, such as John Henson and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks have been steadfastly rejecting trade offers (for players such as Rudy Gay and Omer Asik) that would make them better now.
It's looking clearer that management might finally have owner Herb Kohl on board with the idea that one bad season could lead to many, many good ones.
(Last week: 1 )
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2. Philadelphia 76ers | Status: Tanking | Record: 7-18 (past week: 0-4)
After the Sixers' 3-0 start, they have gone 4-18, which is much more in line with what new GM Sam Hinkie envisioned when he put together this club. Injuries have played some part in that, but it appears the early Sixers flurry was just a fluke.
The fact that Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young are being heavily shopped also means the Sixers have no intention of trying to get better this season. They're apparently trying to figure out how to get worse.
(Last week: 3 )
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3. Utah Jazz | Status: Tanking | Record: 6-20 (past week: 2-2)
We had a pretty good idea that a healthy Trey Burke was going to make the Jazz more competitive. They have won five of their past 11 games now that they have their point guard. His past five games, Burke is averaging an impressive 7.2 assists per game and committing just 1.8 turnovers a game. His shooting woes are an issue, but overall the Jazz are pleased with what he's bringing to the team.
The best news is that, although Burke's play has improved the Jazz, it seems unlikely that any team will be worse than them in the West, almost guaranteeing Utah a top-five spot here all season.
(Last week: 2 )
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4. Toronto Raptors | Status: Tanking | Record: 9-13 (past week: 2-1)
Rudy Gay's absence hasn't had the tanking effect GM Masai Ujiri had hoped for. In fact, the Raptors are 3-1 since the trade. That's why Ujiri is out working hard to move more veterans, such as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Lowry should be pretty easy to move. DeRozan will be tougher.
GMs are even more interested in trying to pry away Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson, I'm told. Valanciunas is virtually untouchable, and it would take a pretty high draft pick to pry away Johnson, who is playing the best ball of his career right now (averaging 20 points and nine rebounds in his past five games).
(Last week: 8 )
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5. Orlando Magic | Status: Tanking | Record: 7-17 (past week: 1-3)
The Magic are another team that seems committed to tanking, and, of all the teams looking to unload veterans, they might have the most success.
Arron Afflalo has been amazing this season. The Magic resisted trading him over the summer, thinking his stock would rise as the season went on. They were right. Afflalo is having an epic year and might land the Magic another asset (a young player or a draft pick) that they covet.
(Last week: 5 )
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6. Sacramento Kings | Status: Rebuilding | Record: 7-15 (past week: 2-2)
The Kings are 1-1 with Rudy Gay in the lineup. It's too early to tell, but it is quite possible that his arrival won't actually move the needle much in the competitive West.
Unless the Kings have more moves up their sleeves (sources say they are on the market for a pass-first point guard), they aren't making the playoffs and still might end up with a pretty high draft position. Although that's surely not what owner Vivek Ranadive envisioned when he agreed to take on Gay's huge deal, he might get what the Kings need despite his efforts to win now.
(Last week: 7 )
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7. Cleveland Cavaliers | Status: Trying | Record: 9-14 (past week: 1-1)
From the sound of things, the Cavs are still trying to find a way to make the playoffs. They've been active in trade discussions with an eye toward improving their roster now. Our Marc Stein has mentioned Luol Deng and Asik as possible acquisitions.
The Cavs have played better of late, winning five of their past seven. If they can make a deal, they should be able to find a way into the playoffs in the East.
(Last week: 6 )
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8. Charlotte Bobcats | Status: Trying | Record: 10-14 (past week: 1-3)
Charlotte got its first solid win of the season last Monday against Golden State and is on target to reach its goal of making the playoffs. And I don't think the Bobcats' aim is going to change.
From what I can gather, all of the Bobcats' phone calls are about making this team better now. I'm even hearing rumblings that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be on the table when he returns from injury.
(Last week: 8 )
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9. Boston Celtics | Status: Rebuilding | Record: 11-14 (past week: 1-2)
Rajon Rondo is returning in January, and we probably won't know what Danny Ainge's real intentions are until February. GMs around the league are split as to what Ainge has up his sleeve. Some believe he'll ride it out with this team. Others believe he'll continue to blow it up and tank.
The team is playing surprisingly well. With a healthy Rondo, the Celtics are probably a playoff team. That's what Ainge says he has wanted all along. If Rondo is traded, however, along with Jeff Green or Gerald Wallace, then we will know the truth.
(Last week: 9 )
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10. Chicago Bulls | Status: Trying? | Record: 9-13 (past week: 1-3)
The Bulls are just 3-9 since Derrick Rose went down, with losses to plenty of bad teams, including the Jazz, Bucks and Knicks. They were blown out against the Raptors on Saturday and barely squeaked by the Bucks on Friday.
If the Bulls start trading players such as Deng or Carlos Boozer in an attempt to get assets, Tom Thibodeau will throw a fit. But, with the Knicks in pursuit of Chicago's coach (hat tip to Marc Stein), maybe there's a deal to be made to make everyone happy.
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