NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Takes Action Against Tanking Amid Growing Concerns
During the recent NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, discussions off the court rivaled the on-court action, with tanking emerging as the dominant topic of conversation. The league's apparent new scourge has prompted Commissioner Adam Silver to announce forthcoming anti-tanking rule changes, set to be implemented ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Why the Focus on Tanking Now?
Silver stated at his media availability that tanking has been "worse this year than we've seen in recent memory" and that he is considering "every possible remedy" to combat the problem. This urgency follows recent fines, including a $500,000 penalty against the Utah Jazz for sitting star players in the fourth quarter of games, which Silver said "compromised the integrity of the league." The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for similar actions involving former Raptor Pascal Siakam.
Teams appear to be making tank-like moves earlier this season than in past years, driven by anticipation of one of the best draft classes in recent memory. ESPN reported that Silver has been "forceful" in his message to general managers, emphasizing the need to safeguard the sport's integrity.
Owner Reactions and Public Criticism
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia launched a public rant on social media, calling tanking "worse than any prop bet scandal" and labeling it "losing behavior done by losers." He argued that purposely losing games is embarrassing for the league and negatively impacts fans. In contrast, former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested the NBA should focus more on fan experience and affordability rather than tanking, noting that when his team tanked strategically, fans appreciated the long-term benefits.
Proposed Rule Changes to Curb Tanking
According to ESPN, several potential changes are under discussion to address tanking:
- Only allowing teams to place Top 4 or Top 14-plus protections on first-round draft picks.
- Freezing lottery odds at a specific date, such as the trade deadline.
- Preventing teams from selecting in the Top 4 in consecutive years or after two straight bottom-three finishes.
- Changing lottery odds to be based on two-year records, similar to the WNBA system.
- Adding play-in teams to the lottery and flattening odds further to reduce incentives for losing.
Has Tanking Even Worked Recently?
Since the NBA flattened lottery odds in 2019, results have been unpredictable. For example:
- In 2026, Dallas moved from No. 11 to No. 1 to draft Cooper Flagg.
- In 2025, Atlanta jumped from 10 to one, while last-place Detroit fell to the fifth pick.
- In 2023, last-place Detroit fell four spots, but San Antonio jumped from three to one to select Victor Wembanyama.
Despite these random outcomes, tanking persists, as seen recently with teams like the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks shutting down star players like Kyrie Irving and Domantas Sabonis. Silver's proposed changes aim to restore competitive balance and maintain the league's credibility as the NBA continues to grapple with this contentious issue.
