Utah Jazz Explore Ethical Tanking Strategies

Team looks to sideline players with short-term injuries to improve draft position

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Utah Jazz are exploring ways to strategically sideline players with minor injuries in order to improve their draft position through ethical tanking. The team is taking inspiration from other NBA franchises that have used sprains, personal reasons, and general soreness to rest key players and lose games down the stretch of the season.

Why it matters

Tanking, the practice of intentionally losing games to secure a higher draft pick, has become a controversial topic in the NBA. Teams must balance the need to develop young talent with the pressure to win now, often leading to ethical dilemmas around player health and the integrity of the game.

The details

The latest example comes from the Sacramento Kings, who announced that Domantas Sabonis will miss the rest of the season due to left knee surgery. While necessary, these types of moves can also be timed to maximize losses. The Utah Jazz are now exploring similar short-term injury strategies to rest key players and improve their draft position, taking inspiration from teams like the Indiana Pacers who have used sprains, personal reasons, and general soreness to sideline players.

  • Domantas Sabonis will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season for the Sacramento Kings due to left knee surgery.
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. is already out for the season with his own knee surgery.

The players

Domantas Sabonis

A power forward for the Sacramento Kings who will miss the rest of the season due to left knee surgery.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A power forward for the Utah Jazz who is out for the season with a knee surgery.

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The takeaway

The Utah Jazz's exploration of ethical tanking strategies highlights the difficult balance NBA teams face between developing young talent and the pressure to win now. While necessary medical procedures can be timed to maximize losses, this practice raises concerns about the integrity of the game and the well-being of players.