Los Angeles – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed growing concerns about teams intentionally losing games, a practice known as “tanking,” stating Saturday that the issue is “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory.” The league recently levied significant fines against the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for actions perceived as undermining the competitive integrity of the game, and Silver indicated he’s considering a range of potential remedies, including the unprecedented step of stripping teams of future draft picks.
The escalating response from the league comes as several teams appear to be prioritizing draft position over wins, fueled by the anticipation of a highly touted 2026 NBA Draft class. This strategy, while not recent, has become more overt, prompting Silver to publicly acknowledge the problem and signal a willingness to explore more drastic measures to deter it. The core issue, as Silver explained, is a misalignment of incentives within the current system.
The Jazz were fined $500,000 for benching key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. During the fourth quarters of close games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, while the Pacers received a $100,000 fine for resting Pascal Siakam and other starters in a game on February 3rd. These actions, Silver said, prompted a reevaluation of the league’s approach to competitive balance and the integrity of the game. The fines were issued under the league’s player participation policies and for “conduct detrimental to the league,” according to reports.
The Roots of the Problem: Lottery Incentives
Silver pointed to the NBA draft lottery as a key driver of the current trend. He noted that conversations with general managers and members of the league’s competition committee revealed a growing perception that the incentive structure favors losing. “If teams are manipulating their performance in order to get higher draft picks even in a lottery, then the question becomes… are they really the worst-performing teams?” Silver questioned. He suggested that the difference in performance between teams at the bottom of the standings may be less significant when factoring in intentional underperformance. The current lottery system, designed to deliver the worst teams a better chance at securing the top draft pick, may inadvertently be encouraging the highly behavior it seeks to prevent.
The commissioner acknowledged the league’s long history – 80 years as of 2026 – and suggested it’s time to reassess the fundamental principles governing the draft. He drew a parallel to the ongoing evolution of the All-Star Game format, arguing that a fresh appear at the draft process is warranted after decades of relative stability. Silver recently spoke with 97-year-old NBA legend Bob Cousy about the league’s origins, further prompting reflection on its evolution.
Fan Reaction and Broader Concerns
Silver expressed concern about the impact of tanking on fans, noting that some supporters are even “rooting for their teams, in some cases, to be bad” in pursuit of a higher draft pick. This sentiment, he argued, undermines the fundamental appeal of the game and risks alienating the league’s core audience. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between long-term strategic planning and the immediate enjoyment of competitive basketball.
Beyond the draft lottery, the league is also grappling with an ongoing investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the NBA’s salary cap through an endorsement deal involving Kawhi Leonard and a now-bankrupt sponsor, Aspiration. Silver stated that the investigation, led by the law firm Wachtell Lipton, is “enormously complex” and involves a significant amount of documentation and witness interviews. He indicated that the All-Star Weekend festivities would not impact the timeline of the investigation, and offered no specific timeframe for its conclusion.
Expansion Plans on the Horizon
In addition to addressing tanking and the Clippers’ investigation, Silver provided an update on the league’s potential expansion plans. He stated that the Board of Governors is expected to discuss expansion at its next meeting in March, after which the league will begin gauging interest from potential ownership groups in various cities. The NBA is not currently considering relocating any existing franchises, focusing instead on adding new teams to the league. Silver emphasized the importance of identifying viable ownership groups and assessing the potential for conference realignment as part of the expansion process.
The NBA faces a complex challenge in balancing competitive integrity with the strategic decisions of its teams. Silver’s willingness to consider significant changes, including the possibility of draft pick forfeitures, signals a commitment to addressing the growing concerns surrounding tanking. The league’s next steps will be closely watched by teams, fans, and analysts alike as it seeks to navigate this evolving landscape.
What comes next will depend on the findings of the league’s internal reviews and the feedback received from team owners, and stakeholders. The March Board of Governors meeting will be a crucial checkpoint in determining the future direction of the NBA’s approach to competitive balance. Share your thoughts on the league’s response to tanking in the comments below.
