On October 21, 2025, I looked up to the sky and saw only a clear blue sky, but I knew the end point was there even though I couldn’t see it. I grabbed a ledge, then another, until a steady rhythm was established. A commercial approach replaced the initial rush. But the gods smiled and threw hailstones, breaking the ridges and steps, doing everything to make the journey difficult. But I persevered and poked my head above the All-Star clouds. I can now see the end point, but the facade is made of mirrors that distort perspective and reflect the sun, creating blind spots. I’ll do my best to throw shade.
Operating tank
The losing-game strategy to obtain a higher draft pick began in the mid-1980s. Since then, the NBA has instituted a draft lottery to discourage teams from tanking. But humans have evolved to the top of the food chain because we don’t rest on our laurels; rather, we look for ways to exploit the status quo. In the past, teams simply sat their best players. What we have to deal with now, however, is players seeing 24 minutes of action and then sitting around for the rest of the game. I’ll do my best to break down the teams that are likely to tank below.
Kings of Sacramento
The Kings currently have the worst record in the NBA (12-44) and have their 2026 first-round pick.
Sacramento could continue to lose, even at full strength!
Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk are currently injured, and I don’t expect them to play much down the stretch. I also don’t think Adam Silver will care if they play. DeMar DeRozan has been a trooper this season, playing in every game so far, but in the last seven games he has played 20 minutes or less three times.
Maxime Raynaud would be the biggest beneficiary if Sabonis was dropped. He doesn’t provide much in the defensive categories, but contributes in points, field goal percentage, and rebounds. Over the last 34 games, Raynaud has recorded eight double-doubles.
Devin Carter And Nick Clifford would absorb backcourt minutes with Westbrook and LaVine out. Over the last five games, Carter has contributed 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 26.6 minutes. He averages 0.86 fantasy points per minute. Over the last 10 games, Clifford has averaged 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 treys in 32.7 minutes. However, he is only shooting 37% from the field.
Dylan Cardwell is developing, and is expected to continue regardless of the situation. Cardwell is a lightly used player, but he’s all about hustle and energy, providing rebounds and defensive stats. He is in the top 100 per game this season.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have no incentive to tank because their first round in 2026 is in either Atlanta or Milwaukee. It’s tough because at 15-41, the Pelicans are tied for third.
Coach James Borrego had put together a great team, relegating the rookie Jeremiah fears in a reserve role, but I think New Orleans will want to give Fears plenty of time to finish the season in terms of development and momentum for next season. Over the last two games, Fears received 30 minutes in each game. His field goal percentage won’t be great, but Fears could provide plenty of points, assists, and steals. He’s also a good rebounder for his size.
Utah Jazz
Utah has a protected top-eight pick for the 2026 draft. Three games ago against Orlando, Utah led early in the fourth quarter and let its starters down, ultimately losing by 3 points. Lauri Markkanen played 27 minutes, Jaren Jackson played 25 minutes and Jusuf Nurkic played 24 minutes.
Speaking of Jacksonit was announced Thursday that he would undergo surgery on his left knee and likely miss the remainder of the season. With Jackson absent, Kyle Filipowski should get minutes to back up the center and forward positions while getting occasional starts. Filipowski averages a respectable 0.97 fantasy points per minute and has shined in the past when given significant carry.
Isaiah Necklace has been a fantastic beast over the last six games, averaging 36.5 minutes, 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 12.2 assists. This is part of the top 60 fantastic productions. Keyonte George is out, so usage and playing time have been increased. If George is absent, then it’s “Yahtzee!” » for Collier. Even if George returns, Collier will still be useful as his minutes reached 20 with George in the lineup.
If you need points, then Brice Sensabaugh is an option, but the Jazz are deep and Will Hardy will likely spread out the playing time, giving each player about 20 minutes of running time, which reeks of fantasy.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are 19-34 and 12th in the Western Conference. They also have their 2026 first-round pick.
Cooper Flagg is suffering from a sprained foot, and I think there is a good chance he will be limited for the period. Flagg will likely play just enough to stay in the consciousness of NBA Rookie of the Year voters.
I actually think Khris Middleton plays as much as he can handle for Dallas, which probably means minutes in the 20s. He is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Dallas will likely want to minimize wear and tear on top-tier players, and Middleton isn’t good enough at this point to lead Dallas to victory. However, he can still provide some points, rebounds and assists.
I also believe Brandon Williams will see extended playtime, especially when Flagg is limited. He has juice and offensive creativity, which many others lack.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have their 2026 first-round pick.
I doubt we’ll see Ja Morant play again this season. Usually this would be a bargain for the backup, but Memphis is very guarded with Ty JeromeScotty Pippen, Cam Spencer and Walter Clayton. Everyone will probably play for about 20 minutes, which destroys any individual fantasy. The same goes for the rest of the list – egalitarian all the way. Jerome averages an absurd 1.63 fantasy points per minute with Memphis, so he always provides a good amount of points, assists, and steals in limited playing time.
Wizards of Washington
The Wizards have one protected top-eight pick for 2026.
We won’t see Trae Young and Anthony Davis again this season. I don’t care what general manager Will Dawkins says, I’m not falling for the banana in the tailpipe trap.
Alex Sarr is suffering from a hamstring injury and is out for at least two weeks. I suspect, not so sneakily, that he will be gone longer. Tristan Vukcević I should get a lot of playing time now. He’s an exciting player because of his athleticism and ability to shoot from downtown, but Vukcevic doesn’t contribute much in the defensive categories. The depth chart is thin at center with Marvin Bagley in Dallas, so even if Sarr plays, Vukcevic should get significant carry down the stretch.
Like Memphis, Washington will likely take the egalitarian route, giving everyone about 20 minutes each night. It’s good for development and for getting everyone to sing “Kumbaya”, but it’s bad for fantasy.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers also have their 2026 first-round pick.
Indiana did not follow the egalitarian path, but rather the all-or-nothing approach. Two games ago, the starters played heavy minutes. The following night, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell did not play. That said, in non-consecutive scenarios Siakam has played heavy minutes, which I don’t see changing unless a huge winning streak impacts the lottery odds calculation.
Ivica Zubac has missed all four games since being acquired by Indiana. I don’t think we’ll see much of Zubac for the rest. If so, Jay Huff and Micah Potter would be the greatest beneficiaries. Potter has been a sneaky fantasy asset recently, posting near-top 100 numbers with some good points, rebounds, treys and percentages.
Brooklyn fillets
The Nets have their 2026 first-round pick.
The Nets are last in offensive rating and 29th in defensive rating over the last 15 games. Michael Porter missed four of those games, so Brooklyn doesn’t need to actively tank. They lose just by playing.
There are so many other topics I want to write about, but I’ll get to that next week since there won’t be much happening with the All-Star break coming up.
