11-07-2025, 07:57 AM
(11-06-2025, 09:13 PM)F Gump Wrote: I agree, your answer is a VERY possible answer (bad roster) and others think the same. I'm not saying it's definitely a tank, just raising the possibility.
OTOH ...
I dont see injuries as a reliable explanation for what we are seeing. (And NBA history tells us LOUDLY that "injuries" can be a significant part of the methodology for a team that wants to tank.) So I have to open my mind to the possibility that this is a gap year, as they call it, to try to get LONG TERM running mate for CF.
It is an interesting theory. The hallmark of a good tank at this point in the season is plausible deniability. The fact that there are people on all sides of this means so-far, so-good if that is indeed the plan. There comes a point when you are so far behind everyone else that you don't have to keep pretending.
So here are my questions (if indeed this is a tank)...
Is Kidd going rogue or is everyone in on this?
Will this be another 10th/11th type tank as we've seen twice now where they keep their options open regarding a playoff run. Or, will they fully commit and go for a top 3 pick?
How do they do this without killing AD's trade value?
Would the gap year theory mean we are 1. Rebuilding around the two kids (plus Lively and maybe Christie), or 2. Still all-in with Nico's vision in 26/27 (which is mainly AD/Kyrie as your stars). I don't think a tank necessarily means we plan to jettison AD...unfortunately.
Do we sell off some pieces at the TDL to teams that are in need of some of what we have? I can see selling off some depth in either scenario above...especially if it helps the financial situation heading into the 26 and 27 seasons.