Watching Zanik, Smith and DA interviews this week has made me convinced that we should not theorize too much about evil scheming that goes on behind closed doors. Seems like they run a pretty transparent operation and while they naturally wont disclose their exact plans to the public, I think they are genuine about their motives whenever they talk about them publicly. It feels like they have created a very positive FO culture without backstabbing, power struggles or other politics.
DA seems like a guy who is honest up to disgusting levels rather than a schemer. If he doesnt want to disclose something, he says so straight up instead of coming up with political BS answers. He is a listener who also wings a lot of stuff because he knows the NBA is very unpredictable and smart opportunism rules this league.
I am now 100% convinced the tank never was or never will be. They really did want Hardy to have a team of useful players to work with, instead of a poorly balanced pool of kids that tanks. The Lakers trade we made was honestly to free up minutes and roles from guys who werent part of the future (and to get one more premium asset and put us in a good situation capwise).
Now don't get me wrong.. youth minutes will definitely be on the books. But I think they'd rather see various combinations of THT, Ochai, Sexton Lauri, Kessler and KO the rest of the way. They dont want to assess the rookies in a vacuum, but instead see how they mesh with the pieces we are likely to keep (if KO is a keeper to them) while also putting them in the best possible position to succeed. JC might be headed to bench role though.. but again its not to tank but to give proper run to the others and assess potential starting lineups for next year to identifiy the weakest spots.