NBA State of the Tank Volume I: Race For the First Pick

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8, 2020 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors

Record: 12-41

Current odds: 14%

Remaining SOS (Strength of schedule): 2nd hardest (.541)

Years Tanking: 1

Golden State is currency experiencing one of the biggest 180s in not just NBA history, but all of pro sports history. After making five straight NBA Finals (winning three), they head into the NBA All-Star break with the league’s worst record. That’s what you get when basically everyone is hurt I suppose

There one flaw during their Dynasty was their lack of depth, something that’s reared it’s ugly head when Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and their off-season acquisition of D’Angelo Russell all missed significant time with injury. Thompson is set to miss the entire season, Curry will be held out until at least March, and D’lo… well he’s on the Timberwolves now.

The Dubs were busy at the deadline, trading Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III to Philly, then Russell to Minny – three of their best players – in return for some picks and Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins might be a better fit long term next to Draymond, Klay and Curry, but D’Angelo Russell by himself would have probably won more games than Andrew Wiggins will by himself.

This, along with the league’s 2nd hardest remaining schedule, puts the team in great position to win the Lottery. Of course the NBA has tweaked the odds a bit to give the team with the worst record less of a shot at the number one pick, but they’re almost guaranteed to be among the three worst records, giving them a 14% shot at the top pick.

A good pick could easily get the Dynasty back rolling again, which has to be scary for the rest of the NBA.

State of the tank: Andrew Wiggins/10