The NBA gathered under the bright lights of All-Star Weekend, celebrating on the court and facing concern off it. As teams position themselves for the stretch run, another storyline has quietly dominated league discussions. Tanking, once a late-season strategy, has surfaced earlier and more aggressively this year. That shift has forced commissioner Adam Silver to confront one of the league’s oldest structural debates.
With several teams already out of playoff contention and targeting a loaded 2026 draft class, competitive integrity has become a central issue. The recent fines issued to the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers highlighted the league’s frustration. But Silver made it clear the problem may go deeper than individual punishments.
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The focus quickly moved from specific penalties to potential structural change when Silver addressed the draft system itself. Speaking during his annual All-Star press conference, Silver said the league is examining “every possible remedy” to combat tanking, including significant changes to the draft lottery.
Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference before 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night.
“It’s time to take a fresh look at this to see to whether that’s an antiquated way of going about doing it,” Silver said.
The NBA draft lottery, introduced in 1985, gives the 14 non-playoff teams a chance at the No. 1 pick, with worse records receiving better odds. But Silver and league officials now believe that system may be creating the wrong incentives.
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“When any economist comes and looks at our system, they always point out that we have the incentives backwards,” Silver said. “It’s not what the fans want at the end of the day.”
The league has already taken action this season. The Jazz were fined $500,000 for pulling key players late in competitive games. The Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the player participation policy. Silver acknowledged that those moves alone will not solve the issue. “It will lead to very unhealthy relationships between us and our teams,” he said.
League officials have reportedly discussed roughly 10 potential solutions. While eliminating the draft entirely is not planned, Silver suggested even dramatic ideas could be studied if tanking continues. Turning rookies into free agents could be considered, though that step would require approval from team owners and, likely, the players’ union.
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The competitive landscape adds pressure. Several teams with poor records have acquired injured star players and kept them sidelined while continuing to lose. Silver noted the challenge of determining whether struggling teams are truly the worst or simply being managed poorly.
“My sense … is there’s probably even more parity than reflected in our records,” Silver said. “It’s a bit of a conundrum.”
The issue extends beyond front offices. Silver noted that fans in some markets are rooting for losses to improve draft position. That dynamic runs counter to the league’s entertainment model and long-term competitive goals.
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Expansion discussions, including potential teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, continue separately. But tanking reform may become the league’s most urgent structural priority.
For now, the NBA is studying options. Any change would reshape roster building and competitive strategy across the league. As Silver and league officials continue discussions, the next evolution of the draft system could define how teams compete and how they rebuild for years to come.
Related: NBA, Adam Silver Face Backlash After Empty Seats at All-Star Weekend
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.