lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

lede_leaderboard

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Dallas Mavericks have officially won the in NBA Draft Lottery with 1.8% pre-lottery chance to win the pick in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. San Antonio Spurs got the second pick, Philadelphia 76ers got 3rd and Charlotte Hornets got the 4th pick in the lottery. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Podcasts

Tank Me Later, With Ock Sportello And Sam Sheehan

Ray Ratto

Taylor Hendricks of the Utah Jazz talks with team owner Ryan Smith during warmups before their game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026. Smith has a backwards baseball cap on, as always.

The Utah Jazz Got Fined For Losing Too Oafishly

Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

The Sacramento Kings Are Dedicated To Dignified Losing

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks bummed on the sideline.

Make Hay While The Sun Is Shining, By Losing In Earnest While Giannis Is Injured

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

The Utah Jazz Are Boldly Making Their Move Down The Standings

Giri Nathan

Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half in the Emirates NBA Cup at Capital One Arena on November 26, 2024 in Washington, DC.

The Washington Wizards Won Nothing In November

Nationals End Season By Demoting Leadoff Hitter Who Was In A Casino Until 8:00 A.M.

Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and other members of the Detroit Pistons look onto the court from the bench during a game against the Toronto Raptors

Searching For Dignity In A Dumpster Fight Between The Pistons And The Wizards

The NBA Doesn’t Like The Way The Mavericks Tanked

LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 reacts to a play during the match between Boulogne-Levallois and JDA Dijon at Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdan on February 10, 2023 in Levallois-Perret, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Where Should Victor Wembanyama End Up?

Let’s Take Stock Of The Horrors Of The Brick For Vic Campaign

HENDERSON, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Scoot Henderson #0 of G League Ignite runs back on defense after Victor Wembanyama #1 of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 grabbed a rebound in the third quarter of their exhibition game at The Dollar Loan Center on October 04, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated Metropolitans 92 122-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Prepare Yourself For Some Shameless NBA Tanking

Portland’s Tanking Project Is Going Awfully Well

Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on December 28, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Rockets’ Locker-Room Squabble Ends With Kevin Porter Jr. Driving Home At Halftime

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

You’re Not Out-Tanking The Jets, You Dipshits

tanking