You can set your intentions all you like. Sometimes, life just gets in the way. NBA teams know this all too well.
They may enter a season as candidates to tank, but if they start winning games, they may opt to pivot.
For example, take a look at the Indiana Pacers. At 21-18, this team is surpassing expectations. They may be more inclined to make a playoff push than race to the bottom.
At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz appeared to be in the same boat.
Lately, that hasn’t been the case. At 19-21, it’s clear that they’re trending downward.
Could they make a deal with the Pacers to continue that trend?