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Cleveland Cavaliers: Pros and cons of tanking the 2019-20 season

By Tony Pesta

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 28: Collin Sexton #2 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the New York Knicks on February 28, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 28: Collin Sexton #2 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the New York Knicks on February 28, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Cons

Tanking comes with a price. The Cleveland Cavaliers need to be wary of the potential consequences of this method.

Let’s start with the lottery odds. Sure, losing the most games will grant you the highest odds of winning the Draft Lottery. However, as we have all seen, the new system has thrown a curveball into this tactic for those in pursuit of the No. 1 pick.

Last year, madness ensued as the New Orleans Pelicans landed the number one pick despite having just a 7.5 percent chance of winning it. As for the three teams with the highest chance of securing the top pick — Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks — only the Knicks placed in the top three while Phoenix fell as far as sixth in the order.

Making the decision to lose games is no longer an easy one. The new lottery system has balanced out the odds, minimizing the reward for being a terrible team. Because of this, the Cavaliers are better off playing their cards and allowing their core to thrive.

By intentionally tanking, the Cavaliers will be limiting their young stars. Players such as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Kevin Porter Jr. and Dylan Windler have bright futures in this league but need a positive environment to develop their game.

There is no point in holding back any of these players in order to receive a slightly increased chance of gaining a better draft pick.

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