The NBA draft was established to steer the best of the available talent to the poorest performing teams – a means by which to sustain long-term competitive balance.
That’s their story, and they’ve been stickin’ with it now for nearly three-quarters of a century – through territoriality, game-show theatrics and Harvard Hasty Pudding award-worthy tanking.
In a recent Adam Silver media chat with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg several weeks back, though, the Commish tacked onto the company line this little caveat: “unless the poor performance is by design.”
Hmmm!
Now that sounds all nice and stuff, Mr.