Multiple NBA executives believe the current season features one of the most widespread tanking efforts the league has seen to date.

The combination of lottery reform set to begin next year and a top-heavy draft class featuring five to seven prospects has created an atmosphere where eight teams are within two games of having the NBA's worst record.

The Nets don't own their pick but are part of that morass of teams along with the Bulls, Mavericks, Suns, Hawks, Magic, Kings and Grizzlies. The Knicks, Lakers and Hornets are bunched up just beyond those eight teams.

One executive told ESPN that he suspects the use of "reverse analytics." Instead of using data to determine which lineups may be most effective in a certain matchup, coaches may be provided with data that could yield the opposite.

"It'll be like 'Mission: Impossible'," the executive said, tongue partially planted in cheek. "The coaches will get the data on paper that will self-destruct right after they read it."

Stan Van Gundy was critical of both the NCAA and the NBA's one-and-done rule that prohibits American-born basketball players from entering the NBA directly from high school.

“People that were against (players) coming out (of high school) made a lot of excuses, but I think a lot of it was racist," said Van Gundy. "I’ve never heard anybody go up in arms about (minor-league baseball or hockey)."

Van Gundy's comments came in response to allegations that money was funneled to college basketball players with the assistance of several coaches.

“The NCAA is one of the worst organizations – maybe the worst organization – in sports. They certainly don’t care about the athlete.”

A conversation between Sean Miller and Christian Dawkins in which they discussed paying $100,000 to ensure DeAndre Ayton signed with Arizona was intercepted by FBI wiretaps.

Miller and Dawkins allegedly had multiple conversations about Ayton.

When Dawkins asked Miller if he should work with assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson to finalize their agreement, Miller told Dawkins he should deal directly with him when it came to money, the sources said.

Ayton is one of the best freshmen in the country and is expected to be a top selection in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Richardson was one of four assistant coaches arrested by FBI agents in September. Richardson is charged with six felonies: conspiracy to commit bribery, solicitation of bribes by an agent of a federally funded organization, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, mail fraud conspiracy and travel act conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 60 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

Michael Porter Jr. has been fully cleared for all basketball activities.

Porter has been out since November following back surgery.

Porter also tweaked his hip before suffering his back injury.

Porter is expected to be a high lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Phoenix Suns will not "strategically rest" any of their veteran players as they did last season with Tyson Chandler and Eric Bledsoe.

“We’re planning on doing what we have been doing, that’s playing our young players. For us, that’s not a change,” Ryan McDonough said. “… We want to continue to have them improve and get minutes and try to win as many games as we can.”

Jay Triano said he has not interest in playing for a better position in the lottery.

“I have been told nothing other than try to win games,” he said. “So my goal is to try to win, and that is not tanking.”

The decision to bench Bledsoe played a part in his request to be traded.

“I think we learned from last year with guys sitting out," Triano said. "I don’t think that was real productive for us.”

“As we found out last year, it is a lottery,” McDonough said. “The pingpong balls bounce around and come out in a different order.”

McDonough said there’s also “pretty good depth” at the top of the draft, so it wouldn't be a disaster if Phoenix fails to land the No. 1 pick.

“If we win a few more games and end up getting slotted lower in the lottery, then we’re fine with that,” he said.

Jonathan Givony has released a mock draft for 2019, headlined by a trio of Duke commits in R.J. Barrett, Cameron Reddish and Zion Williamson. Nassir Little and Romeo Langford round out the top-5.

The 2018 high school senior class is considered to be a week one and there also appears to be a lack of depth at point guard in the 2019 draft class.

1. R.J. Barrett
2. Cameron Reddish
3. Zion Williamson
4. Nassir Little
5. Romeo Langford
6. Luka Samanic
7. Sekou Doumbouya
8. Quentin Grimes
9. Bol Bol
10. Louis King
11. Jontay Porter
12. Rui Hachimura
13. Justin Jackson
14. Marko Simonovic
15. Herb Jones
16. Zhaire Smith
17. Nickeil Alexander-Walker
18. Aric Holman
19. Gary Trent
20. O'Shae Brissett
21. Terence Davis
22. Kris Wilkes
23. D'Marcus Simonds
24. De'Andre Hunter
25. Jarrey Foster
26. Josh Okogie
27. Jerome Robinson
28. Brandon Randolph
29. Kyle Alexander
30. Donte Divincenzo

Michael Porter Jr. intends to play again this season if he's cleared by doctors.

Porter has not played since the opening two minutes of Missouri's season opener on Nov. 10.

Porter underwent back surgery to repair damage to the L3-L4 spinal discs, a procedure that has a projected recovery time of 3 to 4 months.

“I think the doctors are going to be amazed at my progress,” Porter Jr. said.

“I’m hoping that next week, the doctors tell me I’m ready to start full on practicing. That’s what I’m hoping for. I don’t know if that’s what I’ll hear.”

Porter is expected to be a high lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft regardless of whether he returns.