Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Any Solution For NBA Tanking? + Ja Morant’s Trade Market
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Jan 12, 2026 The hosts dive into the controversial topic of tanking in the NBA, discussing teams like the Jazz and Wizards and suggesting innovative solutions. They analyze the implications of Ja Morant's trade market and the difficulties Memphis may face finding a suitable deal. Comparisons to past star trades illustrate the challenges ahead, alongside a spirited debate on Jalen Brown's officiating rants and potential fines. The conversation wraps up with an examination of teams thriving despite injuries, highlighting resilience in the league.
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Tanking To Protect Lottery Picks
- Tanking will increase this season as teams manipulate schedule and rest to protect pick protections.
- Utah and Washington are explicit examples of teams engineering outcomes to retain protected picks.
Draft Structure Fuels Tanking
- The NBA's draft structure creates a huge incentive to secure top prospects via lottery odds.
- Flattening the odds hasn't removed tanking; teams still seek high-impact draft outcomes.
Flip Lottery Incentives Midseason
- Flip how lottery odds are determined midseason so wins, not losses, count toward the draft lottery.
- Use a February cutoff to incentivize teams to compete late in the season and reduce intentional losing.