NBA Tanking Tracker: Are Teams Risking Their Future for a Shot at the #1 Draft Pick? Shocking Moves Unveiled!

The NBA's regular season is nearing its conclusion, with teams jockeying for position in both the playoffs and the draft lottery. As of now, the stakes have never been higher for those at the bottom of the standings. With the season set to wrap up on April 12, 2023, the tanking landscape is becoming clearer, and fans can expect daily updates regarding lottery odds, remaining schedules, and the playoff races that will determine the future of their favorite teams.

Here's a look at the current bottom-dwelling teams and what’s at stake for them:

Record: 17-61 | Streak: L-6

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: CHI, CHI, MIA, @CLE

What's at stake: The Washington Wizards are aiming to clinch one of the three-worst records in the league to secure the best odds at landing the No. 1 pick. A crucial detail is that if their pick falls outside the top 8, it will go to the New York Knicks.

Record: 18-60 | Streak: L-2

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: MIN, @BKN, PHI, DET

What's at stake: The Indiana Pacers also have their sights set on one of the three-worst records in the NBA. Their situation is complicated due to the Ivica Zubac trade with the Clippers; if their pick lands between 5-9 on lottery night, it goes to Los Angeles.

Record: 19-59 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

• Remaining schedule: MIL, IND, @MIL, @TOR

What's at stake: The Houston Rockets are in a similar situation, needing to secure a bottom-three record to enhance their lottery odds.

Record: 21-58 | Streak: L-9

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

• Remaining schedule: @NOP, MEM, @LAL

What's at stake: The Utah Jazz are under pressure as well. They must ensure their pick remains in the top 8; otherwise, it will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Record: 21-58 | Streak: L-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

• Remaining schedule: @GSW, GSW, @POR

What's at stake: The San Antonio Spurs share similar odds and opportunities with the Jazz, as both teams aim for the top of the lottery.

Record: 25-54 | Streak: L-8

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 8.3%

• Remaining schedule: UTH, @BOS, @MIN

What's at stake: The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a unique position; they owe their unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks, meaning they lack any incentive to lose games at this stage.

Record: 25-54 | Streak: L-5

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 8.2%

• Remaining schedule: @DEN, @UTH, @HOU

What's at stake: The Memphis Grizzlies can finish no better than the sixth-best odds for the No. 1 pick, meaning their chances are dwindling.

Record: 25-53 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 6.7%

• Remaining schedule: @LAC, @PHX, SAS, @CHI

What's at stake: The Dallas Mavericks face a similar situation, as they too can only hope for limited lottery odds while also not controlling future first-rounders from 2027-2030.

Record: 29-49 | Streak: L-7

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 4.5%

• Remaining schedule: @WAS, @WAS, ORL, @DAL

Record: 31-47 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 3%

• Remaining schedule: @BKN, @DET, BKN, @PHI

What's at stake: The Atlanta Hawks are also hoping to finish above teams like the Pelicans for better lottery odds.

Record: 36-42 | Streak: L-4

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 2%

• Remaining schedule: SAC, LAL, @SAC, @LAC

What's at stake: The Golden State Warriors are locked into the play-in game, meaning their focus is on playoff readiness rather than lottery chances.

Record: 40-39 | Streak: L-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 1.5%

• Remaining schedule: @SAS, LAC, SAC

What's at stake: The Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in a similar position, already locking in their spot for the play-in tournament.

Record: 41-37 | Streak: W-1

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 1%

• Remaining schedule: @TOR, @TOR, @WAS, ATL

What's at stake: The Miami Heat are currently positioned for the play-in tournament, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum.

Record: 43-36 | Streak: W-3

• Current odds for No. 1 pick: 0.5%

• Remaining schedule: MIN, @CHI, @BOS

What's at stake: The Orlando Magic, also in the play-in tournament, find themselves in a precarious situation, especially since the Grizzlies own their unprotected first-round pick.

As the days wind down to the season's end, the focus will be on how teams navigate these final games, with both the playoffs and the draft looming large on the horizon. The stakes are high, and each game could shift the fortunes of franchises for years to come.