NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Addresses Tanking Concerns, Pacers Fined for Resting Players

Silver's comments on tanking and the league's inconsistent enforcement of its Player Participation Policy raise questions about the NBA's approach to competitive integrity.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has faced backlash for his public comments on tanking, with the league's own structure incentivizing losing to improve draft position. The Indiana Pacers were recently fined for resting key players, including Pascal Siakam, under the league's Player Participation Policy, but the enforcement of this policy has been inconsistent across the league.

Why it matters

The issue of tanking has long been a point of contention in the NBA, as teams seek to position themselves for better draft odds while potentially sacrificing competitiveness in the short term. Silver's acknowledgment of the league's role in incentivizing this behavior, coupled with the selective enforcement of the Player Participation Policy, has raised questions about the NBA's commitment to maintaining a level playing field.

The details

The league's lottery system, which rewards teams that finish near the bottom of the standings with better odds at landing a franchise-altering player, has been cited as a key factor driving tanking behavior. Silver himself acknowledged that the strength of the upcoming draft class may be contributing to earlier tanking efforts. The Indiana Pacers were fined under the Player Participation Policy (PPP) for resting key players, including Pascal Siakam, but the league has been inconsistent in its enforcement, with other teams making similar lineup decisions without consequence.

  • In September, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed concerns about fans struggling to access games on television.
  • This weekend at All-Star festivities, Silver again found himself at the center of controversy after addressing tanking.
  • The Indiana Pacers were penalized under the Player Participation Policy (PPP) after resting key players, including Pascal Siakam, in February 2026.

The players

Adam Silver

The commissioner of the National Basketball Association, who has faced backlash for his public comments on tanking and the league's approach to competitive integrity.

Pascal Siakam

A forward for the Indiana Pacers, who was fined by the league under the Player Participation Policy for being rested in a game.

Indiana Pacers

An NBA team that was fined under the league's Player Participation Policy for resting key players, including Pascal Siakam, in a game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not what the fans want.”

— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner (si.com)

“I don't know where that comes from. My name was in it. I play almost every game, I have the most minutes. A couple of years ago in Toronto I played the most minutes in the whole league. I'm the guy that wants to be on the court. I want to play… Every time I'm on the court I'm trying to win.”

— Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers Forward (si.com)

What’s next

The NBA will likely continue to face scrutiny over its approach to addressing tanking, with calls for more consistent enforcement of the Player Participation Policy and potential reforms to the league's structure that incentivizes losing.

The takeaway

The NBA's struggle to address tanking highlights the complex issues surrounding competitive integrity in professional sports leagues. While fans may dislike the practice, the league's own policies and incentive structures have contributed to the problem, and consistent enforcement and potential reforms will be necessary to find a lasting solution.