NBA Explores New Anti-Tanking Policies with GMs

Commissioner Adam Silver discusses options to discourage teams from intentionally losing games.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The NBA is working on new policies to curb tanking, the practice of teams intentionally losing games to improve their draft position. Commissioner Adam Silver detailed several potential options to general managers, including locking in lottery odds by a certain date to remove incentives for teams to stop trying to win late in the season. The league has fined teams in recent years for sitting out key players, and is looking at further measures to ensure fair competition and protect the fan experience.

Why it matters

Tanking has been a persistent issue in the NBA, with teams sometimes prioritizing long-term rebuilding over trying to win in the short term. This can undermine fan engagement and the integrity of the league's competitive balance. The NBA is seeking to address these concerns through new rules and policies.

The details

According to the report, the NBA is considering several options to discourage tanking, including locking in lottery odds by a certain date to remove the incentive for teams to lose late in the season. The league has already taken action against tanking, fining teams like the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for sitting out key players. The issue will likely be discussed further at the next NBA Board of Governors meeting.

  • The NBA discussed the anti-tanking options with general managers on a call on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The NBA Board of Governors is expected to address the issue further at a meeting next month.

The players

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner who is leading the effort to implement new policies to discourage tanking.

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What they’re saying

“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, NBA Commissioner (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The NBA's competition committee will continue to examine potential changes to the draft lottery system to further address the issue of tanking.

The takeaway

The NBA's efforts to curb tanking highlight the league's commitment to maintaining the integrity of competition and providing the best possible experience for fans. By exploring new policies and rules, the league aims to ensure teams are incentivized to put forth their best effort throughout the season.