Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen believes “purposely losing” shouldn’t be part of professional sports and that “there should be a better way to build rosters.”
It’s safe to assume that the Utah Jazz are tanking.
New Orleans Pelicans
Utah Jazz
Oklahoma City Thunder
Washington Wizards
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks
Golden State WarriorsThey’ve sat healthy players, and players with injuries they’d normally play through remain sidelined. It doesn’t look like they’ll make the playoffs this year, either.
Tanking could be the right move for Utah, but what does their star say about it?
“I don’t think losing, or purposefully losing, should be part of professional sports,” Lauri Markkanen said in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune.
“I feel like athletes always want to compete. I understand why some organizations around the NBA are doing it, but I feel like it sucks, in my opinion. There should be a better way to build rosters. That’s the way it’s been, so I understand it, but that’s my opinion.”
The Jazz are currently last in the West with a 10-31 record.
Utah has a 14% chance, tied for the highest odds under the new system, of landing the top pick in next year’s draft.
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