What this NBA trade deadline revealed: A disguised tanking strategy

THE NUMBERS IN the cylinder were 3, 5 and 2. All low. The teams with the worst records and, therefore, highest odds in the annual NBA draft lottery, typically get assigned the low combinations. One number to go. Justin Zanik, the general manager of the Utah Jazz, leaned on his elbows, studying his flip card with all the numbers his team was assigned. Will Dawkins, the general manager of the Washington Wizards, stared ahead with his hands folded below the table. Rick Schnall, co-owner of the Hornets, put on his glasses and put a pencil next to the numbers he needed. They all sat side by side, stoically -- that’s what decorum demanded -- but this is the kind of moment that changes the...