2025-2026 Tank Race Prediction Contest and Current Results Thread

[Handlogten's Heros]

I still don't understand why anyone took baby Ainge's response to the question of whether the team would tank, or manipulate minutes, at face value. Andy's question basically painted him into a corner - there's really no other answer he could have given. Remember, a few years ago Mark Cuban was fined over half a million dollars, not for the Mavs tanking, but for admitting that they were.

I probably wouldn’t have nearly as much if I wasn’t hearing in the Best Buy parking lot that Austin didn’t think they needed to tank and had a bit of an “eff the pick” attitude. Danny thought he was crazy… and then I remembered hearing that Danny Ainge really wanted Fears and Austin talked him off that ledge.

There is some tug of war in the front office when that happens decisions get delayed and teams straddle fences. We will see if they keep the foot on the gas.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I probably wouldn’t have nearly as much if I wasn’t hearing in the Best Buy parking lot that Austin didn’t think they needed to tank and had a bit of an “eff the pick” attitude. Danny thought he was crazy… and then I remembered hearing that Danny Ainge really wanted Fears and Austin talked him off that ledge.

There is some tug of war in the front office when that happens decisions get delayed and teams straddle fences. We will see if they keep the foot on the gas.

We gotta get out of the Ainge business holy **** what maniacs.

 

[KqWIN]

Tbh, Nepo was way quicker to pivot than Danny. I don’t really care about the truth behind the curtain as long as we’re doing the right thing. And we’ve done a lot of good lately.

Really upset our young guys have been limited on their Svi time though.

 

[Zombie]

I probably wouldn’t have nearly as much if I wasn’t hearing in the Best Buy parking lot that Austin didn’t think they needed to tank and had a bit of an “eff the pick” attitude. Danny thought he was crazy… and then I remembered hearing that Danny Ainge really wanted Fears and Austin talked him off that ledge.

There is some tug of war in the front office when that happens decisions get delayed and teams straddle fences. We will see if they keep the foot on the gas.

That’s fair enough, I don’t doubt that Austin is less pro-tank than Danny was. I just don’t think his response to that question is good evidence of it. If a front office is asked if they are tanking or not they kind of have to say no.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Tbh, Nepo was way quicker to pivot than Danny. I don’t really care about the truth behind the curtain as long as we’re doing the right thing. And we’ve done a lot of good lately.

Really upset our young guys have been limited on their Svi time though.

I do think the Nurk deal might have been in part a precursor to a Walker deal... so not convinced it was a full tank maneuver. He definitely took action but we will see more and more how he rolls.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

That’s fair enough, I don’t doubt that Austin is less pro-tank than Danny was. I just don’t think his response to that question is good evidence of it. If a front office is asked if they are tanking or not they kind of have to say no.

It also could have been a "tell Ryan what he wants to hear and figure things out later" type of thing. I think a lot of FO types simply play to their boss.

I agree and GMs should lie. I just was floored when I heard that actually he kind of believes they are good just to move forward.

 

[KqWIN]

I do think the Nurk deal might have been in part a precursor to a Walker deal... so not convinced it was a full tank maneuver. He definitely took action but we will see more and more how he rolls.

I'd like to think that Nepo became a spreadsheet enjoyer like Brad with that deal....but I do think the Walker non-extension was to keep a trade possibility alive. There's like 1000 signs that the Jazz brass isn't convinced on Walker.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'd like to think that Nepo became a spreadsheet enjoyer like Brad with that deal....but I do think the Walker non-extension was to keep a trade possibility alive. There's like 1000 signs that the Jazz brass isn't convinced on Walker.

There was a trade on the table either in the offseason or right around when the extension stuff was being talked about. It fell apart because of a third team. I think Walk was about to be a Laker but couldn't get all the details.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Zach Lowe said on his pod that Lauri is legitimately sick from what he's heard. Take that for what its worth.

 

[KqWIN]

All teams must donate a pick to the Thunder for every game Lauri sits.

 

[HermanG]

I'd like to think that Nepo became a spreadsheet enjoyer like Brad with that deal....but I do think the Walker non-extension was to keep a trade possibility alive. There's like 1000 signs that the Jazz brass isn't convinced on Walker.

I have recently started to think we are reading the Kessler situation wrong.

McMahon said that we are 100% in on Walker and quoted his agent by name who claimed Walker deserves elite center money and we bet on him getting "starter center offers" in FA.

He didnt nail down the fact that we will counter anything but FO would never say that bc that would just drive offers up.

Staying as low as we did doesnt reveal how far we would go so any offers from others should be near fair market value.

Its still a gamble tho, but my new take is we definitely want to keep him.

 

[KqWIN]

I have recently started to think we are reading the Kessler situation wrong.

McMahon said that we are 100% in on Walker and quoted his agent by name who claimed Walker deserves elite center money and we bet on him getting "starter center offers" in FA.

He didnt nail down the fact that we will counter anything but FO would never say that bc that would just drive offers up.

Staying as low as we did doesnt reveal how far we would go so any offers from others should be near fair market value.

Its still a gamble tho, but my new take is we definitely want to keep him.

I don't know which best buy parking lot to believe in most....but I'll just say this non-extension is not the only sign that the FO/Hardy isn't in love with Kessler. There's been a lot of little things over the years so this isn't a one time thing. On top of that, I think the Jazz were in a much better negotiating position before the season then they will be in RFA when there are several teams with space and who should be interested in Kessler. So even if they are 100% in on Kessler, I think they played it the wrong way.

The resolution I'm hoping for is that instead of signing an offer sheet with another team he allows for the Jazz to match the money in a more team structured way. He might just want out though.