Bub Carrington didn’t use the word “tanking.” He didn’t really need to.
The Wizards guard acknowledged that Washington’s players were “held back” last season while the organization positioned itself to land the No. 1 overall pick and AJ Dybantsa.
“We’ve all, in a way, been held back just because, like you said, we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa,” Carrington told WUSA-TV, via Hoops Rumors. “That’s no secret. That’s no secret.”
Well, it certainly isn’t anymore. Carrington added that the situation has changed entering this season.
“But now no one has handcuffs,” he said. “Everyone’s shackles-free.”
Despite the unusually candid description, the NBA isn’t expected to discipline Carrington or the Wizards, according to Josh Robbins and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
There’s an important distinction here. Carrington is a player describing how the Wizards operated, not an owner or executive announcing an organizational strategy to lose. Mark Cuban famously received a $600,000 fine in 2018 after saying he told Mavericks players that “losing is our best option.”
Washington wasn’t exactly subtle last season, either. Trae Young appeared just five times after arriving in January, while Anthony Davis never played after being acquired in February. The Wizards spent much of the stretch run leaning heavily on younger and fringe players.
It worked. They got Dybantsa. The NBA has since changed its lottery system partly to discourage that sort of thing. Apparently, Carrington is just happy nobody has to pretend anymore.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
