An early look at the 2018 NBA Draft tanking race in the Western Conference

It may be early in the NBA season, but the tanking race is already beginning to take shape for the prized top of the 2018 NBA Draft class.

The 2017 NBA Draft class is killing it in their first month in the league, even with Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball finding some early struggles in their own way. They’re certainly starting on the right foot after a tremendous amount of hype. Speaking of hype, how about the projected top of the 2018 NBA Draft class?

Mohamed Bamba, DeAndre Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley III — and that’s not accounting for anyone else who could emerge — might be the deepest top five of star talent in recent memory. It’s another good year to be bad (read: tank) in the NBA.

Now, it’s too early to tell for sure what teams will likely be in contention to land one of these potential franchise cornerstones. However, some franchises are nonetheless looking the part.

Whether by their record or how they’re playing, these teams have the look of a strong tanker. Here’s a brief look at each conference, starting with the West.

Western Conference bottom-dwellers

When it comes to the Western Conference, they have more behemoths than tankers. Look to the Pacific Division though and you’ll find three of the worst teams in the conference: the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.

At 1-5 as of Oct. 30, the Kings are the worst of the group record-wise. If that low record continues, expect the Kings to continue to play their young players more and more. Without their 2019 first round pick, the Kings will be hoping for a high pick in 2018. They should be in it for the long haul.

The Suns, meanwhile, have had some of the worst performances of the year. Now, they have bounced back and picked up a couple of wins under their interim head coach. That being said, this team, like the Kings, is very young and willing to play all their kids. Eric Bledsoe will likely be elsewhere soon, making the rotation even younger.

Then we have the Lakers, who have beaten the Wizards and battled the Raptors. At 2-4, they have the same record as the Suns. The Lakers might be the toughest team to figure out. Without their pick this year, though, they may not be a strong tanking candidate. However, don’t be surprised if they start moving toward the bottom five. The Sixers and Celtics, one of whom will get the Lakers pick, will certainly hope so.

Finally, there’s the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas currently sits at 1-6, tied for the worst record in the NBA. They have played the Rockets and Warriors, but have also played the Sixers, Kings and Hawks, so it’s not like it’s been a lopsided schedule.

Dennis Smith Jr. manning the point means growing pains, but with Wesley Matthews, Dirk Nowitzki and Harrison Barnes, this team may soon pass those teams in the Pacific sooner rather than later.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board - late October

These four teams can have a lot change, and the Eastern Conference is still pretty bad, but these four are good bets to remain low in the standings.