Jazz Owner Defends Rebuild, Puts Faith in Adam Silver to Fix Tanking

Ryan Smith says the Jazz haven't benefited from tanking and trusts the NBA commissioner to find a solution.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:23am

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting an abstract basketball game or draft lottery scene, conceptually representing the complex dynamics of tanking in the NBA.The NBA's tanking debate takes on a cubist, deconstructed perspective as the league seeks solutions to preserve competitive integrity.Today in Sacramento

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith spoke out against the perception that his team has been tanking this season, saying the Jazz haven't benefited from any supposed tanking since he took over the franchise. Smith expressed faith in NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to find a solution to the league's tanking problem, suggesting options like flattening the draft lottery odds or putting restrictions in place.

Why it matters

Tanking has become a controversial issue in the NBA, with teams accused of intentionally losing games to improve their draft position. As one of the teams facing these allegations, the Jazz owner's comments provide insight into how franchises view the tanking debate and their relationship with the league office.

The details

Smith said the Jazz, who finished 22-60 this season, have never won the NBA draft lottery or moved up in the draft since he became owner. He believes the math has to start working in their favor at some point. Smith trusts Silver and the NBA ownership group to find solutions, whether that's flattening the lottery odds or implementing other restrictions. The Jazz's deadline trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. also suggests they want to be competitive and accelerate their rebuild.

  • The Jazz finished the 2022-23 season with a 22-60 record, tied for the fourth-worst in the NBA.
  • Last season, the Jazz had one of the best odds at getting the No. 1 overall pick but ended up getting the No. 5 selection.

The players

Ryan Smith

The owner of the Utah Jazz who spoke out against the perception that his team has been tanking.

Adam Silver

The NBA commissioner who is vowing to find a solution to the league's tanking problem.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

The player the Jazz acquired at the trade deadline, suggesting they want to be competitive and accelerate their rebuild.

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What they’re saying

“If you look at everything being categorized as tanking, it's not the way to look at it. There's a rebuilding process for 8-10 teams every year that are going to have to go through that. That's the process we should be looking at.”

— Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz Owner

“We're gonna figure out a solution. I trust Adam, the ownership group is incredible around the league, we're not afraid to battle it out. There's options about flattening it, options about putting restrictions in there, but the most important thing is, what is the rebuild experience for the NBA, and how long do we want these teams to come in.”

— Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz Owner

What’s next

The NBA is expected to continue discussions and potentially implement new measures to address the tanking issue ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The takeaway

The Jazz owner's comments highlight the complex dynamics surrounding tanking in the NBA, with franchises seeking to rebuild while also maintaining competitiveness. The league's efforts to find solutions will be closely watched as it aims to preserve the integrity of the game.