Tanking has been quite the buzzword in the NBA this season, especially with a promising draft class looming on the horizon. Several teams are angling for those coveted lottery picks, setting the stage for potential rebuilds. However, this strategy isn't exactly winning points with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who is reportedly exploring new measures to curb the practice.
Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob recently shared his thoughts on the matter with Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard. Lacob made it clear that tanking is not on the Warriors' agenda.
“Look, this season matters to the fans who bought tickets for this year,” Lacob emphasized. “Hopefully, they’ll be our fans next year as well, obviously.
I think you should always be trying to win and do the best you can... I saw where another owner came out today and spoke on it, [the Suns’] Mat Ishbia.
I think you know, it is not in my DNA, nor in this organization’s DNA, to do that. … It’s not a good look.
This is sports. We’re supposed to play to win."
Lacob’s stance is backed by the Warriors' recent history. Even with an aging core, the front office hasn't shifted towards a rebuild. Instead, they've opted to re-tool, adding fresh talent and nurturing young players already on the roster.
With potential league changes on the horizon, the appeal of tanking might soon diminish. For teams like the Warriors, who strive to stay competitive year after year, this could validate their approach to consistently aim for success rather than resetting the clock.