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Nets Eye 'Ethical Tanking' Amid Struggling Season

1/3/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Brooklyn Nets enter 2026 with a 10-20 record and are reassessing their strategy.
Despite a strong December, Nets sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and six games behind a playoff spot.
They are considering 'ethical tanking' to prioritize development and may give more playing time to rookies Egor Demin and Danny Wolf while trading veterans such as Michael Porter Jr. for future assets.

History

Historical Context

The NBA's draft lottery reform in 2019 aimed to reduce "tanking" by giving the three worst teams equal chances (14%) at the top pick, a shift from previous systems. This change followed decades of teams intentionally losing for better draft positions, notably during the 1984 draft. The Brooklyn Nets' current strategy of prioritizing rookie development reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining competitive balance.

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Story summary

The Brooklyn Nets enter 2026 with a 10-20 record and are reassessing their strategy.
Despite a strong December, Nets sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and six games behind a playoff spot.
They are considering 'ethical tanking' to prioritize development and may give more playing time to rookies Egor Demin and Danny Wolf while trading veterans such as Michael Porter Jr. for future assets.

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