There are teams across the NBA who are specifically rooting for each other’s downfall.
We don’t mean that broadly. Of course, every team wants every other team to fail, in the sense that they want to succeed at their cost. Still, some teams have a specific desire to see other teams fall short.
For example, look at the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets own the Nets’ picks through to 2027. Any failure on the Nets’ part is a success for the Rockets.
If they can poach one of their most productive players, that’s even better.
If the Nets had a valuable restricted free agent on the market, the Rockets should look to acquire him via a sign-and-trade scenario.
Here’s a deal that has them doing so with Cameron Johnson.