NBA Today: 5 Teams that should be looking to tank in the 2019-20 season

As the offseason continues, several teams have gotten stronger. These teams have signed big-name free agents or traded for players to improve their rosters.

Teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers have made strides and became contenders. These teams are in large cities/markets and are attractive free agency destinations for some of the league's best players. The Nets picked up Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and the Clippers picked up Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Lakers picked up Anthony Davis before the NBA draft.

For teams in large markets, it is somewhat easier to acquire these players, but for small market teams, it is not always easy. Some small-market teams do not have the luxury of easily signing star players. So, they often rely on building/rebuilding their team through the draft. For that to happen, these teams must go through a season or more of struggle.

The NBA Draft gives teams that struggle a chance to gain a talented player through drafting him. This player usually becomes their franchise player or a piece of the team's core. This happens every year, and one team is lucky enough to have the first pick.

Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans struggled and finished with a record of 33–49. The team went on to receive the first pick of the draft, where they drafted Duke phenom, Zion Williamson. Williamson is a player with a lot of hype around him. He is a skilled forward with the potential of being a star. With Williamson, the Pelicans have a chance to rebuild as they recently lost their best player in Anthony Davis.

The NBA draft is an excellent way for smaller teams to improve, but there is one question that must be asked. Do some of these teams tank?

Tanking can be described as a moment where a team continuously loses on purpose in hopes of gaining a better draft pick. While it gives teams a better chance, it is not guaranteed that they'll receive the first pick. However, some teams have no choice and must tank to improve their rosters. With this in mind, here are five teams that should consider tanking in 2019-20.

#5 Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is the Grizzlies' point guard of the future

The Memphis Grizzlies are fresh off their Summer League championship. While winning Summer League is nothing extraordinary, it is still an accomplishment for the team's young players. So, it is something to be proud of.

Last week, the Grizzlies beat the Timberwolves 95-92 to win the championship. Their rookie Brandon Clarke finished the game with 15 points,16 rebounds, and four assists in 24 minutes.

Clarke won the Summer League MVP award after averaging 14.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in his Summer League run. Clarke showed that he has a bright future and will be a valuable piece of the Grizzlies' core.

On draft night, the Grizzlies acquired Clarke in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis also drafted point guard Ja Morant with the second pick. The Grizzlies added two skilled players to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr., who they drafted in last year's draft. The three players are a great start, but the Grizzlies need more before they are a playoff team.

The Grizzlies parted ways with their star players in Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. They traded Gasol to the Toronto Raptors and sent Conley to the Utah Jazz. Their trades showed it was the end of an era, and they needed to rebuild. So, they have started their rebuild with Clarke, Jackson, and Morant.

The new Grizzlies will play with a lot of heart in 2019-20, but they need a few more pieces. If Memphis tanks this season, they could find one of those pieces in next year's draft.

#4 Phoenix Suns

The Suns need more pieces alongside their star guard Devin Booker

The Phoenix Suns were on the verge of getting the first pick this year but came up short. The Suns had a 14 per cent chance at getting the first pick. This is the best percentage teams can have when involved in the draft lottery. They shared their odds with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, who had an equal or worse record than the Suns. The odds of these teams were equal due to a new rule that the three teams with the worst records share an equal chance at the first pick. The move was supposedly established to prevent tanking.

The Suns did not receive the first pick but managed to obtain a top 10 pick. They had the sixth pick of this year's draft but traded it to Minnesota for their 11th pick. The Suns used the 11th to draft forward Cameron Johnson out of UNC. The move came as a shock, and the media questioned their selection. The Suns gained a skilled shooter but failed to fill other needs such as a point guard. Phoenix had a questionable draft, but it may pay off in the future.

Phoenix made moves in free agency as they signed veteran point guard Ricky Rubio (who fills their point guard void) and re-signed Kelly Oubre Jr. The moves are decent and help the Suns but do not make them a playoff-bound team. They need more before they reach that status. A core of Devin Booker and De'Andre Ayton is a start, but they'll benefit from another year of tanking this year and getting another pick. Then, the Suns will be one step closer to being an improved team. It is up to them to make the best moves possible.

#3 Washington Wizards

The Wizards drafted Hachimura with the ninth pick

This spot could have gone to the Chicago Bulls, but the Wizards may be in a tougher situation.

The Wizards are in a state of uncertainty as they go into the 2019-20 season. Their star player John Wall is recovering from a ruptured left Achilles tendon after he fell in his house. Wall was recovering from a left heel injury at the time of the incident. Wall has a large contract, and his injuries make it hard to justify his deal.

Wall is set to make $38,199,000 in 2019-20 and $41,254,920 in 2020-2021. The Wizards are on a decline (nearing a rebuild) and Wall's contract is a burden. Both sides would benefit from a trade as the Wizards need a fresh start.

The Wizards may also deal Bradley Beal, who is Wall's backcourt partner if he does not sign an extension. So, the Wizards need to move on from both players.

In the 2019 draft, Washington drafted forward Rui Hachimura. Hachimura had an impressive Summer League, where he averaged 19.3 points and seven rebounds. He showed that he is a talented player that the Wizards can use towards a rebuild. So, Washington should start their rebuild by playing Hachimura and trading Beal or Wall.

In April, the Wizards fired their president and general manager. They promoted their interim general manager, who has the chance to rebuild the team. So, he should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Wizards went from a playoff team to a lottery team within a year. With Beal and Wall's futures in question, the Wizards would benefit from tanking and getting another lottery pick. If they do so, this gives them a chance to start their rebuild through the talented Hachimura. It is their best bet.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers

Collin Sexton is a crucial part in the Cavs rebuild

The Cleveland Cavaliers are making moves as they continue their rebuild. They brought in a new coach in John Beilein, who hopes to do great things in Cleveland. Beilein does not have NBA coaching experience, but his time at the University of Michigan showed that he could help players develop. He has a chance to develop players such as Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman as well as their new teammates. It is a challenging task, but Beilein is up for it.

This year, the Cavaliers had a busy draft night as they acquired three players. They drafted guard Darius Garland with the fifth pick of the draft and Dylan Windler with the 26th pick. The Cavs also acquired Kevin Porter Jr. in a draft-night trade with the Detroit Pistons. Cleveland picked up three skilled players, who they will use towards their rebuild.

When the Cavs drafted Garland, some people questioned the move. Garland and Sexton are close to the same height, scores, and both struggle on the defensive end. However, the Cavs revealed their plan after drafting Garland and said they want a small backcourt in the style of Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum of the Blazers. If the two players combine well, there is a chance they reach that level. It is an uphill climb, as Lillard and McCollum are a lethal duo, but it can be done.

The Cavs also have Windler and Porter, who can instantly help the Cavs in 2019-20. Porter is a player with tons of potential and if he reaches it, was a steal in the 2019 draft. Their new players will have an opportunity to come in and help the Cavs continue their rebuild.

Cleveland also has players such as Cedi Osman, Larry Nance Jr, and Ante Zizic. Osman and company showed glimpses of being key players for the Cavs. The Cavs also have a veteran if Kevin Love. If the Cavs do not trade Love, he can guide Cleveland's young player for at least another year.

If the Cavs' new prospects materialize, they could be close to completing their rebuild. If they tank/have another rough season, they can gain another player. It would be an excellent move for the Cavs moving forward.

#1 New York Knicks

Remember when everyone thought the Knicks would get Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Zion Williamson? Unfortunately, things did not turn out that way. The Knicks not only failed to sign Durant and Irving but missed out on Williamson after the Pelicans won the first pick. But the Knicks still managed to get a talented player in the draft. The Knicks drafted RJ Barrett.

Barrett was a teammate of Williamson during their time at Duke. The two players played well together and proved why they should be top picks in the draft. Then, the teammates were the top three picks.

In college, Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Barrett is a player that does a bit of everything. He scores in different ways and rebounds. One of his biggest issues is his decision making. If he makes better decisions when handling the ball, he can become a go-to player for the Knicks.

While Barrett is talented, the Knicks need more. They signed players such as Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, and Taj Gibson but it is not enough. Their free-agent signings may help them win a few more games, but they won't help them improve as a team. However, all is not lost. The Knicks have young players like Kevin Knox (who they drafted ninth in 2018), Dennis Smith Jr., and Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks have a few building blocks they can develop and make them key players for their roster. It is a decent start.

The Knicks are a large market team but could not land high-profile free agents. This summer showed that they cannot rely on big names to turn their roster around. If anything, they should focus on building a young core. Then, they do not have to go into the season with uncertainty. If they focus on their core more than free agents, they'll have players like Barrett to lead them into the future. All they would need is more to put around him.

The Knicks are a team that want to improve. If they have pieces to build around but need at least one more to become a better team. If the Knicks tank in 2019-20, they'll have a chance to gain that player.