A report by Sportsnet details NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s growing frustration with teams “tanking” for high draft picks. Speaking during the All-Star festivities in San Francisco, Silver indicated that the league is considering severe remedies, including the potential revocation of draft picks for teams found to be non-competitive on purpose.
Silver emphasized that the integrity of the game is at risk when teams prioritize losing to secure better lottery odds. He mentioned that the league’s Board of Governors will discuss wholesale changes to the lottery system and the draft process in their upcoming meetings.
The Commissioner also touched on league expansion, noting that Seattle and Las Vegas remain the primary candidates. However, he was firm that any expansion would need to be coupled with a system that ensures all 30 (or more) teams are actively trying to win every night.
* Associated Press quoted Silver: “I don’t want to tease cities… we want to ensure real competition.”
* ESPN reports: “Silver considering taking away draft picks to stop aggressive tanking this season.”
Echotitbits take: The “anti-tanking” rhetoric is reaching a boiling point because of the high-caliber talent expected in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. If Silver actually pulls a draft pick from a franchise, it would be a nuclear move that fundamentally changes how NBA front offices operate during “rebuilding” years.
Source: Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/adam-silver-to-consider-changing-draft-lottery-revoking-picks-to-stop-tanking/ February 14, 2026
Photo Credit: Sportsnet
Tag: Adam Silver
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Considers Drastic Changes to Stop Team Tanking
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NBA Slaps Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers with Fines for “Tanking”
According to a statement released by the NBA, the league has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for “management of their rosters.” The fines come amid growing scrutiny over teams allegedly losing games on purpose to improve draft positions.
The Jazz were specifically penalized for benching stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during crucial fourth-quarter moments in recent games against the Magic and Heat. The league ruled that these players were physically able to play but were held out to influence the game’s outcome.
League officials warned that “tanking” undermines the integrity of the competition. The Pacers’ fine was related to similar roster management issues that the league deemed “detrimental” to the NBA’s brand during the lead-up to the All-Star break.
This move shows Commissioner Adam Silver is getting tougher on the “race to the bottom” for draft picks. It might discourage teams from resting stars, potentially improving the quality of late-season games but frustrating front offices looking for long-term rebuilds.
* ABS-CBN News (Website): “The NBA took aim at ‘tanking’ on Thursday, fining the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers.”
* ESPN (Sports Desk): “League statement confirms fines for conduct detrimental to the league regarding player availability.”
Source: OrlandoSentinel — https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/02/12/tankers-beware-jazz-fined-500000-pacers-100000-by-nba-for-player-participation-policy-breach/ February 13, 2026
Photo Credit: NBA