The Ringer NBA Show Tiers for the 10 Tanking Teams | Real Ones
Mar 31, 2026
A lively debate sorting the league's 10 tanking teams into tiers of joy, hope, and sorrow. They argue which clubs have real rebuild capital, which rely on short-term veteran bumps, and which franchises suffer from mismanagement. The panel also fields a mailbag about surprise playoff runs and dark-horse teams.
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Memphis Hope Is Built On Picks And Development
- Memphis's optimism is organizational as much as roster-based: smart front office plus a cache of future picks.
- Howard cites Zach Edey, Cedric Henderson, and tradeable future picks from the Desmond Bane deal as reasons for hope.
Giannis Trade Could Be A Reboot Not Ruin
- Trading a franchise star (Giannis) can still produce a hopeful path if the front office executes well.
- Howard kept Milwaukee in hope because a proper Giannis trade could yield usable assets and a top-10 pick.
Ja Morant Relationship May Be Irreversible
- Raja compares the Ja Morant situation to irreparable relationships in franchises, suggesting the Grizzlies and Ja may have passed a point of no return.
- He notes Memphis might keep Ja for roster stability but it won't be healthiest for either side.