Part of the NBA's problem is that tanking isn't a quick-fix. Lots of people loved what Ainge did in getting rid of KG and Pierce for picks, but what type of player will Boston get if the Nets remain a playoff team(and if they trade Rondo this summer)? Are they just repeating Pitino's plan back in the 90s? I'm sure some people remember when the Celtics tanked for Duncan and ended up with Billups/Mercer and went nowhere fast.
The NBA doesn't seem to care since they are making tons of money, but it's also a copycat league and what Houston is doing with their D-League team could change some things rather quickly. The D-League might become a true developmental league for teams where they put players into their system with coaches they hire. I also think letting teams maintain draft rights as they did when Boston picked Bird, would stop some of the one and done and benefit players and teams.
Boston will reap the rewards of the KG/Pierce trade from 2016-2018. When Brooklyn will be in salary cap hell with the Joe Johnson, Deron Williams contracts, and Boston will have Brooklyn's unprotected 2016 and 2018 picks and the ability to swap places with them in 2017. Brooklyn was going all in these next 2 years and Boston knew it wouldn't compete for a Championship so they traded them while they could get value.
The NBA has become the rich vs poor. The NBA doesn't have shocking champions outside of the 2004 Detroit Pistons every champion since 1991 hasn't been that shocking. 1991-1993 Bulls, 1994-95 Rockets, 1996-1998 Bulls, 1999 Spurs, 2000-2002 Lakers, 2003 Spurs, 2004 Pistons, 2005 Spurs, 2006 Heat, 2007 Spurs, 2008 Celtics, 2009-10 Lakers, 2011 Mavericks, 2012-13 Heat.
NBA has had 8 different championship franchises in 23 years(CHI,HOU,SA,LAL,DET,MIA,BOS,DAL)
NHL has had 13 different championship franchises in 23 years(PIT, MTL,NYR,NJ,COL,DET,DAL,TB,CAR,ANA,CHI,BOS,LA)
NFL has had 14 different championship franchises in 23 years (NYG,WASH,DAL,SF,GB,DEN,STL,BALT,NE,TB,PITT,INDY,NO,SEA)
MLB has had 12 different championship franchises in 23 years( MIN, TOR, ATL, NYY, FLO, ARI, ANA, BOS, CHISOX, STL, PHI, SF)
The NBA has always been a rich vs poor league compared to the other sports its just the draft has become younger and younger and has killed the middle class growth potential from a year to year basis. You need to strike it rich in the draft a la Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City or build thru FA a la Houston Rockets or Miami Heat or mix and match Los Angeles Clippers.