With the worst record in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are an obvious longshot to make the playoffs. But according to coach Luke Walton, the team has no interest in tanking.
Luke Walton doesn't believe in tanking. "When you start losing on purpose I think the basketball gods come back to get you in the long run."
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) January 24, 2017
This is a complicated part of every NBA season as it advances.
At this point, the best case scenario for Los Angeles would be a first round playoff appearance against the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs. Either opponent would likely easily dispatch the Lakers. For even that scenario to happen, Los Angeles would need to not only make up 4.5 games, but jump seven teams.
So, why not tank? It would increase the chances of earning a top 3 pick and landing a star player from a strong 2017 NBA Draft.
Walton’s stated reason makes some sense. With that said, the Spurs certainly tanked in the 1996-97 season and it landed them Tim Duncan. Twenty years and five NBA championships later, the fans in San Antonio are probably okay with that decision.
But NBA tickets aren’t cheap. Fans spend a lot of money to come out and see games and they want to see the best players that the teams have to offer. They don’t want to pay top dollar, only to see stars sidelined with mysterious injuries.
The good news for the Lakers is that they may not need to tank to get the high draft pick. At 16-32, Los Angeles has the NBA’s third-worst record. Since starting the season at 10-10, the Lakers are 6-22. That pace would have Los Angeles finishing the season at roughly 23-59. That would certainly put the Lakers in position for a desired high draft pick — even if they’re not trying to get it.