Should The Nuggets Target The Eighth Seed Or Tank: Pros And Cons

Tanking: Pros

One Piece Away

As of now, the Nuggets have essentially found the player they want to build around, in Nikola Jokic, and now they just need to find talent to surround him with. Tanking this season would be a positive and a negative because there are a lot of good players to choose from and any top 10 pick would essentially bring in a great player to any team. With the Nuggets solid at the Guard position and Center position, tanking for a forward would make sense.

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Developing the Youth

Tanking would obviously mean the Nuggets would turn more towards their young players to step up for the rest of the season. Players who haven’t had too many opportunities would get a bigger role and could acquire experience before the season is over. This includes Jamal Murray, Juancho Hernangomez, and Malik Beasley, all of whom are rookies and vital parts of the future of the Nuggets.

Tanking is Worth It

As some teams would point out, tanking is very much worth it. The Cleveland Cavaliers essentially tanked and ended up drafting Kyrie Irving before LeBron James rejoined them, who was also drafted by the Cavs, in which they tanked then as well to draft him. The Philadelphia 76ers are another team that are proving tanking works as their “rookie” who they drafted in 2014 (Joel Embiid) is guiding them in the right direction. Not only that, but they have surrounded him with very solid players to help the team win.