Golden State Warriors: Why They Should Tank Every Season Until 2017

The Warriors' announcment that they will return to San Francisco in 2017 raises many different questions from their fans.

These questions range from "What will the new arena look like?" to "Will I be able to afford tickets?" to "Why are they betraying Oakland?"

But perhaps the real question to ask is "Are the Warriors going to start tanking each and every season until 2017?"

That question will surely ignite fury in the hearts of many Warriors' fans, and raise many more questions which I will answer with the following Q&A session: 

Q: What is tanking?

A: Good question. For those out there who are not NBA fans, "tanking" is the art of intentionally (and unintentionally) losing games in order to gain better position in the next season's draft. 

Q: Have the Warriors tanked before? 

A: Certainly. The most recent example was just last season, when the Warriors needed at least the seventh pick in the NBA Draft in order to keep their draft pick. For the most part their strategy was successful, and the 'Dubs have a 72 percent chance to keep their pick.

Q: Are there examples of teams that have tanked before moving to a new city?

A: Yes. The one that most people are familiar with is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Four years ago, the Thunder were known as the Seattle Supersonics, and they were struggling to win games. Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett bought the team, moved them to OKC, and the rest is history. 

Under GM Sam Presti, it took the Thunder just two seasons of playing in Oklahoma City to make the playoffs. Because they were just downright horrible in the three seasons before they moved, they were able to secure great draft positions and nab current superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Those guys, along with newer additions Serge Ibaka and James Harden are a pivotal part of the team's current roster, leading the Thunder to their second consecutive Western Conference Finals.

Q: Should the Warriors follow this example (and start tanking)?

A: In my opinion, yes.

I mean, let's look at the big picture. This team is moving to San Francisco in five seasons!

Let's just say that the world turns upside down and the Warriors manage to win the NBA Championship at some point during the next five seasons. Can you imagine what owner Joe Lacob would say at the championship parade?

Probably something along the lines of:

"Wow, this is incredible! I've always dreamed of winning a championship ... Thank you to the terrific fans here in Oakland. Without you, we couldn't have done this. You have all been so patient and loyal, filling up Oracle Arena even when times were rough, and this championship is for you. Oh, and by the way, we're moving to San Francisco in 2017, so see you there!"

Back to reality. The bottom line is the Warriors will ultimately have a better future in San Francisco if they start winning there immediately in 2017. One of the few ways to ensure that future is by drafting young, skilled players who will make the team contenders for years to come.

Q: Are there other ways to build a strong team for the future?

A: Sure.

Another option is through signing free agents, though for the Warriors this has never really been an option. You know who they signed last off season? Kwame Brown and Dominic McGuire. 

Who? That's right. For whatever reason, the Warriors are never really able to lure in key free agents.

How about making trades? Yeah, they've tried that as well.

You know how they acquired big man Andrew Bogut? By trading away their best player and fan-favorite Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks.

And how did that work out for the Warriors? Bogut sat out the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, Ellis and the Bucks steamrolled the Warriors in Oakland in the first home game after the trade, 20,000 unhappy Warriors' fans booed Joe Lacob (during Chris Mullin's jersey retirement ceremony, no less), and the Warriors tanked the rest of the season.

Q: How does the 2012-2013 season look for the 'Dubs?

A: Well, if the Warriors can keep their draft pick, Bogut can avoid breaking his arm on dunks, Stephen Curry can avoid rolling his ankle for the 59th time, Klay Thompson doesn't have a sophomore slump, Dorell Wright breaks out of his slump, and Mark Jackson learns how to coach without top assistant Michael Malone, they just might have a winning season.

Which is where we sit right now.

Once again, fans are left shaking their heads, wondering when the Warriors will finally start rewarding them. It always seems to be a "what if" with this team, and it will always be the same "there's always next year," until something definitive takes place.

That "something definitive" is the move across the bay to San Francisco in 2017. Until then, the Warriors must do everything that they can to build up their roster with young, exciting players that will make immediate contributions to the team when they move.

And, as mentioned before, the only way they can do that is by tanking seasons and then drafting talented young players. 

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka will make up the core of the Thunder for perhaps the next decade. The Thunder will be perennial championship contenders for years to come. I believe it is in the Warriors' best interest to follow the model set by Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Allow me to lead you through one final imaginary scene: 

Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, Bob Myers, Jerry West and Mark Jackson are having dinner with San Francisco mayor Ed Lee, lieutenant governor Gavin Newsom and NBA Commissioner David Stern.

As they finish up their final bites and prepare to say their farewells, Lacob raises up his glass of wine and proclaims, "Here's to a winning season .... in 2017!"