The NBA has been grappling with its tanking issue for years, trying everything from flattening lottery odds to creating new tournaments to make regular-season games more meaningful. Despite these efforts, the race to the bottom remains as intense and unabashed as ever.
Right now, the Golden State Warriors are likely sending thank-you notes to every team that's more focused on the draft than the playoffs. The real prize in the NBA isn't just those extra lottery balls-it's a matchup against a team that's trying to lose.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Warriors are looking like a revamped squad. Steph Curry is back, assuming his knee holds up after missing six games that felt like an eternity.
Kristaps Porzingis joins the mix, bringing size and shooting prowess, provided he stays healthy. "Health Permitting" could well be the new motto for this team.
There's undeniable potential here. If the Warriors find their rhythm on the court and build chemistry in the locker room, they could be a formidable opponent come April, maybe even May.
But their biggest advantage? The schedule.
With 27 games left, a third of them-nine games-are against teams that are essentially in tank mode. We're talking matchups against the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and others like Dallas, Brooklyn, Utah, Memphis, and New Orleans. These games are practically gifts to the Warriors' playoff aspirations.
Tankapalooza 2026 is in full swing, with teams competing to be the worst in hopes of future glory. Fans of those teams might already be shifting their focus to baseball or other distractions, knowing it's a strategic move.
For the Warriors, however, this is a golden opportunity. While other contenders like the Timberwolves, Lakers, and Suns face tougher schedules, Golden State has a smoother path. Those nine games could easily translate to nine wins, as long as they show up and play solid basketball for even part of the game.
Of course, a schedule filled with easy wins can lead to complacency. Fortunately, the Warriors also have enough challenging matchups to keep them sharp. Games against the Celtics, Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets, and Pistons will test their mettle and reveal if Porzingis fits, if Curry is fully back, and if their defense can hold up.
In the tightly contested Western Conference, wins are the ultimate currency. The Warriors' path forward is clear, with bottom-tier teams offering victories on a silver platter. All the Warriors need is the hunger to seize these opportunities.
The struggles of the league’s tankers might just be the stepping stones the Warriors need to climb back into serious postseason contention.