Josh Giddey’s OKC Thunder the big winner from blatant NBA tank job

The Dallas Mavericks are being investigated by the NBA and Josh Giddey’s team has emerged as the big winner from the saga.

The Mavs will miss the play-in and the playoff.

The NBA is looking into the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to rest several players and bench star Luka Doncic after the opening play of the second quarter in their bizarre home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday (AEST).

Despite going into the contest just a half-game out of the last spot for the Western Conference play-in tournament, Dallas appeared to be tanking the game.

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“The NBA commenced an investigation today into the facts and circumstances surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ roster decisions and game conduct with respect to last night’s Chicago Bulls-Mavericks game, including the motivation behind those actions,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement.

The Mavericks and Bulls were tied for the 10th-worst record in the league prior to the game, and now Dallas is slated to draft 10th following the defeat.

The loss could help the Mavericks keep their first-round draft pick, which is slated to be sent to the New York Knicks if it doesn’t wind up in the top 10.

Luka Donic sitting on the bench wasn’t a good look for the Mavericks. Photo: Tim Heitman/Getty Images/AFP.

Before the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said the line-up choices were an “organisational decision” that was ultimately made by owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison.

Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, Aussie Josh Green and Christian Wood didn’t play, and Doncic only played one possession into the second quarter, which Kidd said was the plan before the game.

Final play for the Mavericks is a work of tanking art. pic.twitter.com/Ou89fcZCZ8

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 8, 2023

The Mavericks are in playoff contention with 2 games remaining.

If the NBA is actually serious about anti-tanking, the Mavericks need to be punished. https://t.co/Y1JBl5G7AX

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) April 7, 2023

Much will be made about the Mavs missing the playoffs despite the superstar tandem of Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving.

Meanwhile, OKC grabs the final spot in the West led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trent Crimm & a ham sandwich.

Truly breathtaking stuff by the Mavericks. A virtuoso.

— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) April 8, 2023

According to the NBA’s Constitution and Bylaws, an owner cannot “attempt to lose or control the score of any game.”

This isn’t completely new territory for Cuban. In 2018, he was fined $600,000 for admitting he told his players, “losing is our best option,” in order to land a better draft pick.

Missing the playoffs, let alone the play-in, is a disaster for the Mavericks after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season.

Irving signed a four-year deal with Dallas in February but he hits free agency this offseason, meaning he can explore his options or choose to stay with the Mavericks.

Kyrie Irving’s future is up in the air. Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images/AFP.

The Mavericks’ blatant tank job was condemned by NBA fans, but it means Josh Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder have now locked in Western Conference’s 10th seed, guaranteeing their place in the play-in tournament.

The Thunder will be able to rest their starters, including Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in their last game of the regular season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

“It’ll be good to clean up any nicks and bruises that guys have,” Giddey said.

“It’s a good opportunity for these other guys to play and get a good burn out there.”

Making the play-in tournament is a huge boost for the Thunder, who recorded 39 wins this season, a massive jump on last year’s tally of 23 victories.

In their sudden death play-in game they will face the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference — one of the Timberwolves, Pelicans, Lakers or Clippers.

The winner of that game will then take on the loser of the game between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds for a spot in the playoffs proper.

Josh Giddey’s OKC Thunder can sniff the playoffs. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

“We’ve done it the right way,” Giddey said of the rebuilding Thunder.

“From where we were last year to this year, it speaks volumes to what we’ve been able to do and how much we’ve been able to improve.

“As long as we stay on this right path, I think this team and this organisation is gonna be in good hands for a long time.”

Giddey continued to rack up triple doubles in his second season for OKC, while Gilgeous-Alexander has exploded, reaching his potential as the franchise star.

If the Thunder win two play-in games, they will make the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.

— With NY Post