(1) under the cba, as revised, rookie contracts are hugely valuable - both in terms of cap space, and in terms of being able to offer the mega-max (5 year $100m) to only got own player. A kid off a rookie deal LIKELY takes the big money on his first contract. That means a rookie phenom could be yours for 8 years - under the new cba.
(2) it is not about Wiggins, but about assets. Two rookie players can be flipped into one all star. Think of what KG cost us: Gomes (not in the league) Telfair (in the league?) Ratliff, Green, and Jefferson - the only guy still starting in the NBA. Who knows? Maybe in 2015, a pupu platter nets is Durant. Playing time makes guys into assets.
(3) the alternative (boring mediocrity) was worse than the year down. The C's were borderline unwatchable at times, last year. Plodding half court jogging. I don't blame them - but I'd rather watch a team miss the playoffs but capture my interest - than watch two or three veterans I love get crushed by a team (like NYK) that I hate.
(4) opportunities arise all the time. How did trading pick five and D. West go for us? Amazingly well - right?
(5) tanking creates assets, as non-entities step up to score on bad teams. Tyreke Evans is a big star - and a huge asset. But would he have been such a star playing behind Kobe on the Lakers? The sky won't just be dark. A star will emerge from a crowd of young players to light up the box score. (I don't usually ask for a TP but - amazing turn of phrase - agreed?).
Danny is doing the right thing.