Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith reacted to the league’s $500,000 fine on Thursday, tweeting, “agree to disagree … Also, we won the game in Miami and got fined? That makes sense …”
The NBA cited the Jazz for conduct detrimental to the league after removing Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. before the fourth quarter in games against Orlando and Miami, despite both being able to play. Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the league’s stance: “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.”
Smith engaged in an X exchange with ESPN NBA Front Office insider Bobby Marks, who compared tanking fines to the luxury tax. Marks wrote, “If it gives you a competitive advantage, or in this case, a chance to draft (and keep) an impact player, billionaire owners will pay the fine.”
Smith replied, “Hey Bobby… maybe sit this one out. You have no clue what paying this is like and your amnesia this week is comical.”
The fine follows the Jazz struggling in the standings at 18-38 (.321), having lost seven of their last ten games. The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for a Player Participation Policy violation in their February 3 matchup against Utah, as Pascal Siakam and two other starters could have played under medical standards.
The NBA’s investigation included independent physician reviews and assessments of compliance with the Player Participation Policy. The league said it is working with the Competition Committee and Board of Governors to prevent similar infractions.
