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."