Suns Owner Calls for 'Massive Changes' to Stop NBA Tanking

Mat Ishbia criticizes 'losing behavior done by losers' and demands action from league commissioner Adam Silver.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:31pm

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Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia strongly condemned the practice of tanking in the NBA, calling it a "disgrace" that "impacts the integrity of the whole league." Ishbia's comments came after the league fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for violating rules around player participation, which were seen as strategic efforts to lose games and improve draft position. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the issue and said the league's Competition Committee is reexamining the draft lottery system to address tanking.

Why it matters

Tanking has been a controversial strategy in the NBA for years, as teams intentionally lose games in order to improve their chances of landing a high draft pick. Ishbia's vocal criticism highlights growing frustration among team owners and fans about the practice, which is seen as undermining the integrity and competitiveness of the league.

The details

The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for "conduct detrimental to the league" after players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. checked out of games early, even though they were able to continue playing. The Indiana Pacers were also fined $100,000 for violating the league's "Player Participation Policy" by sitting out key players against the Jazz. Ishbia called the behavior "a disgrace" that "impacts the integrity of the whole league."

  • On February 7 and 9, the Utah Jazz lost to the Orlando Magic and defeated the Miami Heat.
  • On February 12, the NBA announced the hefty fines for the Jazz and Pacers.

The players

Mat Ishbia

The owner of the Phoenix Suns who strongly criticized the practice of tanking in the NBA.

Adam Silver

The commissioner of the NBA who acknowledged the issue of tanking and said the league's Competition Committee is reexamining the draft lottery system.

Devin Booker

An All-Star player for the Phoenix Suns who said he hasn't thought much about tanking but agrees it's "not good for our game."

Lauri Markkanen

A player for the Utah Jazz who checked out of games early, even though he was able to continue playing.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A player for the Utah Jazz who checked out of games early, even though he was able to continue playing.

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What they’re saying

“Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations. And the talk about this as a 'strategy' is ridiculous.”

— Mat Ishbia, Owner, Phoenix Suns (X)

“This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically. Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots.”

— Mat Ishbia, Owner, Phoenix Suns (X)

“Awful behavior that Adam Silver and the NBA will need to stop with massive changes, and I have complete confidence that with his leadership, he will fix it.”

— Mat Ishbia, Owner, Phoenix Suns (X)

“I haven't thought about it much. I'm sure they can think of something. It's not good for our game.”

— Devin Booker (azcentral.com)

“Ultimately those teams, and just as a reminder that we're all in this together, that we want to have fair competition, we want to have fair systems and to keep an eye on the fans, most importantly, and their expectation that we're going to be putting the best product forward.”

— Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA (azcentral.com)

What’s next

The NBA's Competition Committee is expected to reexamine the draft lottery system in an effort to address the issue of tanking.

The takeaway

Tanking has become a major point of contention in the NBA, with team owners like Mat Ishbia calling for "massive changes" to stop the practice. The league has taken steps to punish teams for blatant tanking, but the underlying incentives remain, highlighting the need for more comprehensive reforms to the draft system and league rules.