Tanking is not the answer for the Indiana Pacers in 2021

Even after a sluggish season up to this point, tanking is not the solution for the Indiana Pacers in 2021, or ever. I understand the desire to go after one of the top prospects in the draft, particularly Cade Cunningham or Jalen Suggs in this upcoming draft. That doesn’t mean the team should try to lose in order to get them in the building.

Before I even get into the general notion that tanking is inherently bad, this year is an even worse year to do so. The 2021 draft class is loaded with talent and the Pacers do not need to get into that top-five consideration to land an impact player. Regardless of their draft history, there is always a chance to hit on early draft picks.

No, the Indiana Pacers should not tank in 2021

For those who claim the Pacers are not good at drafting, tanking should be the furthest thing from the goal. I stand with that group because I agree that the Pacers have not been great at drafting in the first round. But if that’s the case, why would I want to lose and risk another high draft pick not sticking?

No draft prospect is 100 percent safe so we should not treat them as such. That said, tanking involves a lot more than just trading assets or losing games. Players are not going to buy into losing games for a draft pick that could replace them in the long run or even risk losing out on a payday in the following offseason.

Players will always play hard and do their best to win games because that is the core of their job. Nobody gets into professional sports to lose and play for less money than they are capable of, that just isn’t the case.

With several leaders on this Indiana team, I have a hard time believing they will be content with losing at a high rate. They were not content with losing in the playoffs last season and decided to part ways with Nate McMillan so losing in the regular season is not going to help the case at all.

With an All-Star in Domantas Sabonis, DPOY candidate in Myles Turner, and veteran leaders in Doug McDermott and Justin Holiday, the Pacers are not going to just accept losing. And fans aren’t going to want to watch basketball without those players. Trading Sabonis or Myles in order to secure a high pick is going to create a lot of boring basketball that will infuriate almost everyone watching.

Yes, there are a few benefits to tanking but the disadvantages far outweigh those. In a small market, the best way to attract free agents is to win and prove that you can compete despite the luxury tax. I’d rather be a playoff team consistently than sit in rebuild mode for a decade like the Pistons or Kings.