The tanking strategy has quickly gotten out of hand in the NBA. <\/p>\n
On Thursday, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia blasted teams who are tanking, calling them \u201closers<\/a>.\u201d Later on in the day, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver informed every team that anti-tanking rule changes will take place in the 2026-27 season. <\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania also noted several actions that the league is considering to try to prevent tanking going forward. Charania even added that Silver was \u201cforceful\u201d<\/a> with the message in hopes of curbing the tanking issue. <\/p>\n Multiple sources with knowledge of Thursday’s GM meeting as well as a late January Competition Committee meeting told ESPN that the following concepts have been discussed to curb tanking:<\/p>\n \u2022First-round picks can be protected only top-4 or top-14+ \u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 19, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Silver had discussed the idea of changes taking place<\/a> at the most recent NBA All-Star weekend. Silver even didn\u2019t stop short of saying that draft picks could be taken away<\/a> if the strategy continues. <\/p>\n Before the All-Star break, the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000<\/a> and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for the tanking techniques they were using, so it was a harsh punishment in hopes of making it stop. <\/p>\n Then, the Sacramento Kings announced that both Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are out for the season due to surgery, and fans also questioned whether the Kings were tanking or not.<\/a> <\/p>\n Currently, the teams with the three-worst records all have a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 pick, and it is decided via the NBA Draft Lottery. <\/p>\n But the last few weeks have certainly spiraled out of control, so it\u2019s not a surprise that changes will be coming next season. <\/p>\n
\u2022Lottery odds freeze at the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/Vk2n1cSzde<\/a><\/p>\n