Relegation within the NBA?
A latest report by ESPN suggests commissioner Adam Silver is open to all potentialities in stopping groups from tanking — or deliberately placing out a mediocre product with the intent of accelerating draft lottery odds.
The act of relegation “would primarily imply demoting the worst one or two groups to the G League whereas selling the most effective group or two from the G League to the NBA,” per the report.
Silver was requested about tanking this week; it is anticipated to be a problem this season contemplating the extremely touted prospect Victor Wembanyama is ready to be the primary decide within the 2023 NBA Draft. The more severe a group is that this yr, the higher probability it has of drafting a participant who might make them nice for years.
Silver was fast to confess relegation will not be possible now or within the instant future. G League groups largely act as “Triple-A” groups for NBA franchises; they lack the sources and depth wanted to compete over an 82-game season. That is to not point out the chasm it will create from an financial standpoint.
“It might so disrupt our enterprise mannequin,” Silver mentioned. “And even in case you took two groups up from the G League, they would not be geared up to compete within the NBA.”
Per 5 Thirty Eight, there are already 4 groups with a one p.c probability or much less of even making the playoffs, not to mention successful a championship. That quantity will develop, as will entrance workplace executives’ eyes with each Wembanyama spotlight. The race to the underside is underway. Whereas there’s not a lot that can cease them this yr, the league is leaving no stone unturned to ensure tanking will someday be a relic.
