The NBA is intensifying efforts to curb tanking as Commissioner Adam Silver warns deliberate losing has reached one of its worst points in recent years. During All-Star Weekend, Silver emphasized the league is exploring all possible remedies, including changes to draft pick rules and the lottery system.
Silver highlighted recent fines issued to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers as a clear message to teams that prioritizing draft position over on-court performance will not be tolerated. “There is talk about every possible remedy to stop this behavior,” Silver said, signaling that stronger sanctions could be forthcoming.
ESPN insider Bobby Marks revealed multiple NBA front offices are preparing proposals to reduce incentives to lose games, suggesting the league could see a significant overhaul of draft procedures. Marks noted one team outside the lottery said it would “write a blank check” to secure a top-three pick, demonstrating how the current system drives strategic losses even for non-lottery teams.
The Utah Jazz have come under scrutiny after sitting Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. late in games against Orlando and Miami, resulting in a $500,000 fine. Head coach Will Hardy defended the decision, citing player health, while owner Ryan Smith publicly questioned the penalty. The incident has reignited debate over how the league enforces competitive integrity.
Marks pointed out that tanking often originates from ownership or coaching decisions rather than players, with professionals like Iman Shumpert noting that athletes rarely go into games with the intention of losing. “Players don’t go out there wanting to play poorly,” Shumpert said on NBA Today.
League sources indicate proposals under review may include eliminating pick protection, revising lottery odds, and introducing enforcement measures to ensure teams cannot manipulate game outcomes for draft advantage. The goal is to reward competitive play while maintaining opportunities for genuine rebuilding teams.
The stakes are high for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, who are balancing current competitiveness with future draft positioning. Marks suggested that discussions surrounding players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and other extension-eligible stars will influence how teams navigate roster decisions and lottery strategies moving forward.
With Utah sitting 13th in the Western Conference at 18-38, the Jazz situation underscores a recurring challenge: preserving competitive balance while discouraging manipulation. The NBA aims to address this before the 2026 offseason, potentially reshaping how the draft lottery and participation policies govern team behavior.
Formal recommendations are expected in the coming weeks, with teams weighing draft equity, financial implications, and enforcement mechanisms designed to protect the integrity of every game. The league’s next steps could mark one of the most significant anti-tanking initiatives in recent NBA history.
