Written by Michael Shapiro at SI.com
As organizations throughout the NBA stockpile weapons in a race to the next superteam, some are left in the dust, either without the superstar they drafted (hello, Indiana and Chicago), or without a superstar in recent memory (nice to see you again, Orlando). These teams have the option of cobbling together enough spare parts to compete for a playoff spot, but many choose to swing the other way, rocketing to the bottom of the standings in order to secure a top-five draft pick.
The 76ers have been the most tanktastic team over the past four seasons, fully embracing The Process to the tune of four top-five picks and back-to-back No. 1 overall selections. However, after signing quality veterans J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson in free agency, it looks as though the organization is finally ready to pursue a playoff berth.
So who will be the next Philadelphia? Here are our top tanking candidates for the 2017-18 season.
Chicago Bulls
Many thought Chicago would enter a rebuild near the trade deadline last year and ship Jimmy Butler before the All-Star break. But the infamous GarPax duo opted to go the other route, keeping the Bulls’ core of Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo together through the entirety of the regular season. The result: a first-round exit at the hands of Boston, and a cents-on-the-dollar deal for Jimmy Butler during the NBA draft.
Rondo was waived prior to July 1, and Wade is likely hoping to follow suit sometime in the near future. Reports indicate that the three-time champion will begin the season with Chicago, but if the Bulls’ brass has any wits about them, they’ll ship Wade to a contender or buy him out within the first few months of the year.
What does that leave on the Bulls’ roster? Not much. Their new franchise players are a pair of recently acquired Timberwolves in swingman Zach LaVine and point guard Kris Dunn along with 2017 No. 7 overall pick Lauri Markkanen. They also have a smattering of young players who have shown some promise in Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine, but it would be a real shocker if Chicago made the playoffs even in the diluted East.
With few bankable assets, the Bulls’ path the relevancy is now through the draft. They struck gold with Derrick Rose in 2008 and again with Jimmy Butler in 2011, and maybe the Bulls can pull off some more draft magic next year. For now though, they must be patient with a thorough rebuild.
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