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

Atlanta Hawks — DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 8: John Henson #31 of the Detroit Pistons smiles before the game against the New York Knicks on February 08, 2020 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons

Record: 19-36

Current odds: 7.5%

Years Tanking: 1

The Pistons have the best record on this list, and still have the possibility of making a run for the 8th seed for the 2nd year in a row.

The team seems like it’s heading down however, with Blake Griffin out for the season and having just traded away their franchise cornerstone in Andre Drummond to Cleveland. Getting back Brandon Knight, John Henson and a 2-round pick is a pretty tough way to start what looks to be a long rebuild, but here we are.

Now minus Drummond, the Pistons have one of the worst rotations in the NBA, and could drop hard in the coming months. Only the Warriors have a tougher remaining strength of schedule on this list, and you can easily see a scenario in which the Pistons end with the Eastern Conference’s worst record. They’re also incredibly injured at the moment, and have a few veterans that could be bought-out in the coming weeks.

This could be year one of a long rebuilding process in Detroit.

State of the tank: What do you call a religious tree? Christian Wood.