Some solutions are obvious; it\u2019s just a question of whether an institution has the guts to do it.<\/p>\n
Tanking occurs in every major sport, but nowhere is it more noticeable and common than in the NBA. <\/p>\n
This season, the issue of teams intentionally losing regular-season games to position themselves for higher draft picks has never been more apparent. Tanking has dominated NBA media coverage so much that Adam Silver had to address the topic<\/a> during All-Star weekend. Silver is considering several options, including additional fines and the removal of draft picks, and the media has offered suggestions to fix the problem.<\/p>\n The clearest path to stopping tanking is to remove the incentive by eliminating the draft. However, not enough media members are discussing that. Why?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Smart people know what\u2019s up. https:\/\/t.co\/E9D2SpujbN<\/a><\/p>\n
Major sports have brainwashed many into believing that drafts are necessary to promote competitiveness and fairness. That\u2019s not why drafts exist. Leagues have drafts to help limit player costs. Simply put, owners don\u2019t trust other owners not to overspend. This obvious solution might not be easy, but it would work. If incoming players were free agents rather than going through the draft process, teams would have no reason to tank. In fact, they would be incentivized to compete to make themselves an attractive destination.<\/p>\n The reason tanking is so prevalent this year is that the incoming draft class is loaded with talent. But imagine how much better the NBA product would be if teams were motivated to impress the likes of Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, or Cameron Boozer. There should be a reward for competitiveness, not tanking.<\/p>\n Some will argue that not having a draft would give big-market teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics an advantage, as they could sign the elite prospects. That\u2019s not necessarily true because the league already has artificial ways to limit acquisitions. There\u2019s still a salary cap. Also, teams have only five starters, 15 players on the roster, and one basketball. Not every rookie will be able to play for the Lakers or even necessarily want to live in these cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The first question in Adam Silver\u2019s press conference was, as expected, about tanking. <\/p>\n Silver, as part of his lengthy response: \u201cAre we seeing behavior that is worse this year than we\u2019ve seen in recent memory? Yes, is my view, which is what led to those fines\u2026\u201d\ud83c\udfc0\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f #NBA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/s7HUiZCh4g<\/a><\/p>\n
One of the better discussions about the draft and tanking comes courtesy of\u00a0The Right Time with Bomani Jones. Jones and Tom Haberstroh both made it clear that eliminating the draft is the solution<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the only way. \u2026 We can talk until we\u2019re blue in the face about \u2018What if we get rid of pick protections? What if we lock in the lottery odds on March 1? None of that is going to change things. None of that,\u201d said Haberstroh. \u201cThe only thing that\u2019s going to actually fundamentally change the way teams operate and not try to lose is if you take the draft out altogether.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople cannot imagine a world without a draft when it\u2019s so simple,\u201d added Jones. \u201cIf you want to try and make it about competitive redistribution, then give people the salary allotments. Then the worst team gets more (salary). We could call it National Signing Day.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cI wish Adam Silver would\u2019ve fined them $5M for disrespecting the game of basketball. Let\u2019s stop being nice about it and throwing out the word \u2018tanking.\u2019 No, it\u2019s actually throwing games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014@KendrickPerkins<\/a> weighs in on the Jazz and Pacers being fined for sitting healthy players\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GoTP7vfQO2<\/a><\/p>\n
The average fan loves the draft, and so do most leagues. Not only does it keep salaries down, but it also generates a ton of free publicity. It\u2019s a great marketing tool. But it\u2019s also a big part of why tanking happens.\u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps things are starting to change. Joe Vardon of The Athletic<\/a> reported that the league is at least considering abolishing the draft and making incoming rookies free agents. If this happens, we might be on the road to ending tanking in the NBA once and for all.<\/p>\n \t
\n\u2014 David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014 NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n