The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a rocky start to begin the 2013-2014 NBA season. At 4-8, the team has yet to be the playoff contending team fans have hoped for following a 98-94 season opening win over the Brooklyn Nets. This leaves me with one question. Are the Cavaliers tanking the season?
A report from Yahoo Sports suggests that one NBA team is doing just that. An anonymous general manager admitted to intentionally tanking the season to receive a top talent player in next year’s NBA draft.
Top players of next year’s NBA draft include:
- Andrew Wiggins, strong forward, Kansas
- Jabari Parker, strong forward, Duke
- Julius Randle, power forward, Kentucky
Andrew Wiggins, who is only a freshman at Kansas, announced before the NCAA season started that he would enter next year’s NBA draft. He has been a big name in basketball since he began dunking in high school. He is also listed as the top choice in ESPN’s 2014 NBA Mock Draft.
A talented strong forward is exactly what the Cleveland Cavaliers need.
The signings of Andrew Bynum and Jarrett Jack have improved the team somewhat but still have a long way to go. Anthony Bennett, the Cavaliers’ first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, has seen limited minutes and minimal production. Kyrie Irving is still producing and becoming one of the league’s best point guards. Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson are still developing, keeping the Cavaliers in the rebuilding stage.
Even with its young players, the Cavaliers have been predicted to finish in the top eight of the Eastern Conference. The team is not predicted to make a legitimate run for a championship.
The general manager pointed out in his interview that he didn’t want to finish in the middle of the league, to win big in the draft, the team has to lose big. With all the details listed, it’s an interesting argument to make that the Cavaliers may want to wait one more season to get one more piece to the puzzle.
Do you think the Cavaliers are intentionally tanking the season?
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