the.com/team rebuilds
the art of losing on purpose so you can win on purpose later.
means a strategic teardown of a roster or organization, trading short-term wins for future assets, talent, and cap flexibility.
from born in pro sports front offices once salary caps and draft lotteries made losing strategically profitable, not just embarrassing.
draft leverageworse records often mean better draft odds
euphemism erateams now say retool instead of rebuild
cap relieftrading stars frees money for future free agents
fan patiencesuccessful rebuilds average three to five seasons
for instance
philadelphia 76ers trust — the process, 2013-2017, tanked for joel embiid and ben simmons
houston astros teardown — lost 324 games 2011-2013, won world series in 2017
chicago cubs theo epstein — rebuilt from 2012 bottom to 2016 championship
cleveland browns perpetual — multiple rebuilds since 1999 return, still searching