Tanking Teams 2013

Boston Celtics 

Any moderate fan of basketball realizes the Celtics are tanking to win the Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes, a project Lebron-like talent, and that doesn't get thrown around often, if ever. General Manager Danny Ainge traded away Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry for Marshon Brooks, draft picks and not much else to the Brooklyn Nets. Another end of an era in Beantown, one that brought a championship in 2008, it's finally  rebuilding time for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo can lead a young, talented team in the future or become an excellent trade chip to get younger. He makes $12 and $13 million for the next two seasons, respectively, a modest deal for an all-star who perhaps hasn't even reached his full potential. There aren't many more talented point guards out there in the league than Rondo and he's worth keeping, especially if he gets along with his new coach, Brad Stevens. Jeff Green is 26 and making under 9$ million and could be another leader on the young squad. He can score in bunches but is inconsistent and needs to show up every night if he wants to lead his team successfully. The Celtics seem committed to bottoming out and starting from scratch, and if management makes the right moves, could have a bright future in this league.

Philadelphia 76ers

Another obvious contender in the race for Andre Wiggins. After the Andrew Bynum year, it's hard to blame the Sixers for an all out rebuild. First overall pick or not, this is believed to be perhaps the most talented draft since 2003, and any high lottery pick could be prove to be a game changer, or maybe franchise changer. Philadelphia traded breakout star, Jrue Holiday, who could in the future become a top guard in the league, for Nerlens Noel and a lottery pick next year, which could be a high one. Management knows Noel will be on the shelf for a good chunk of the upcoming season, which only secures more losses for a better tanking. The team will most likely have two top draft picks next summer, which will hopefully bring the historic franchise back to relevancy.

Toronto Raptors

First of all, the Raptors made a fantastic choice in picking Masai Ujiri as their new General Manager to replace Bryan Colangelo. Ujiri's first step towards retooling the organization was trading former first overall pick and massive bust Andrea Bargnani for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, Quentin Richardson and draft picks. Marcus Camby was bought out and Linas Kleiza amnestied. Jonas Valančiūnas emerged as a premiere talent, winning MVP of the 2013 Summer League. Toronto has great players like Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but Ujiri could move them. Currently set up, the Raptors aren't exactly tanking but could secure a top pick in the lottery and nab a talented player.