Each team in the NBA would prefer to have a winning season every year. Unfortunately, that’s just not realistic. 

With that said, some losing seasons are easier to swallow than others. If your team is rebuilding, you may prefer losses – since you’re not winning anyway, that is. You might as well focus on the upcoming lottery. 

By contrast, if you just traded four first-round picks for a player, you want to be winning.

You’ve made a significant investment, and if you’re losing games, it simply isn’t paying off. 

That’s what the Minnesota Timberwolves moved to acquire Rudy Gobert this summer. At 19-21, it isn’t working out so far. The Wolves may need a shakeup. 

Here’s a deal that has them making one by sending D’Angelo Russell to the Toronto Raptors.