Anonymous NBA GM admits team will tank in 2013-14 season

(UPI) -- In the most recent issue of ESPN The Magazine, an anonymous NBA general manager reveals that his team plans on tanking the 2013-14 season in an effort to lose as many games as possible and secure a top draft pick.

"Our team isn’t good enough to win and we know it," the unnamed GM said.

"So this season we want to develop and evaluate our young players, let them learn from their mistakes -- and get us in position to grab a great player. The best way for us to do that is to lose a lot of games. This draft is loaded. There are potential All-Stars at the top, maybe even franchise changers. Sometimes my job is to understand the value of losing."

The manager went on to say that no one wants to be in the middle of the pack.

"I know that sounds crazy, but if you're an NBA general manager like me, the last place you want to be is in the middle. There are only two outcomes there: Either make the playoffs and be first-round fodder for one of the premier teams or miss the playoffs and pick somewhere around 11th to 14th in the draft. Either way, the odds are that you stay in that middle range. It's a recipe for disaster.”

He also thinks there is at least one other team utilizing a similar strategy.

“We're not alone. Look at the 76ers. Since the draft in June, I don't think they've signed a player or made a trade to add a legitimate player.”

Vegas seems to agree with the anonymous executive -- the odds of the 76ers winning the NBA title have been set at 9,999-1. The Sixers have also been assigned a ridiculously low over/under of just 16.5 wins by odds makers.

The NBA season begins on Tuesday night but the 76ers don’t play until Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. when they will tip off against the Miami Heat, defending NBA champions. Tanking that game might not be necessary.