11-07-2025, 12:22 PM
(11-07-2025, 07:57 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: 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.
I think they eventually play better. Whether that means they are playoff contention team or now is TBD. With the lottery odds changed, I really don't want to root for a full year of tank. Especially not with such an important young prospect. They may be bad enough where it doesn't matter. I find myself not rooting for them to lose, but I am not stressed out rooting for them to win either.
I think next year version of the team is probably going to include AD and Kyrie still being here (unless a no brainer trade presents itself). If they do that (and AD and Kyrie can stay heathy) I would be fine with this. Although, I think the supporting players would have be switched out. #1 no more old guys-so maybe the selloff at the trade deadeline can help the financial situation you mention. #2 Add shooting and creation. I could see a prototype like this working out. Especially if they found another young player who cna be a core player with Flagg moving forward.