The NBAis going through complicated times that demand a firm hand amid the risk that the spectacle could be compromised, all as a consequence of tanking – a strategy that has shifted from a discreet tactic to a blatant practice that threatens fan trust and the quality of the televised product.
Faced with this situation, Commissioner Adam Silver broke his silence with a clear warning about the league’s future during All-Star Saturday.
The tipping point this season occurred in Utah. Will Hardy, head coach of the Utah Jazz, decided to bench his three top players – Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurki – for the entire fourth quarter of a tight game against the Miami Heat.
Such decisions have led the commissioner’s office to evaluate measures aimed at preventing teams from engaging in this practice, starting with the potential removal of Draft picks from franchises found guilty of tanking.
“We’re talking about all possible remedies right now to stop this behavior,” Silver said.
What is “tanking” and why does it draw so much criticism?
Tanking is a phenomenon in which franchises deliberately reduce their chances of winning games in order to worsen their annual record. In the NBA system, finishing at the bottom of the standings mathematically increases the odds of securing one of the top three Draft selections, allowing teams access to generational talent.
Erosion of the product: Fans feel they are not paying to watch high-level basketball, especially when star players may be listed as injured – though in some cases it is merely a tactic to keep them off the court.
- Perverse incentives: The Utah case illustrates this point. Their 2026 pick is “Top-8 protected.” If they fall to ninth place, they lose the selection to Oklahoma City Thunder, creating a systemic incentive to lose at all costs.
- Steve Kerr’s stance: The Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been one of the most vocal critics, arguing that the current system forces teams to chase “luck” in a lottery. According to Kerr, tanking is “terrible for the fans and for the league,” and he has urged Silver to implement harsher punitive measures.
Between punishment and the reality of the system
Although the league has attempted to curb this trend with financial penalties – such as the $750,000 fine imposed on the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 – organizations appear to view the monetary punishment as a “low price” compared to the potential benefit they could obtain.
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