NBA Considers Anti-Tanking Measures for Next Season

League looks to curb teams intentionally losing to improve draft position

Mar. 2, 2026 at 5:15am

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The NBA is considering several rule changes to discourage teams from intentionally losing games, a practice known as "tanking". Commissioner Adam Silver informed general managers that the league plans to implement new anti-tanking measures for the 2026-27 season, in response to concerns that the depth of the upcoming draft class could lead to a record number of teams trying to secure a top pick.

Why it matters

Tanking has become an increasingly common strategy for NBA teams looking to rebuild, as a high draft pick can provide a transformative talent. However, the practice is seen as undermining the competitive integrity of the league. The proposed rule changes aim to disincentivize tanking and ensure a more level playing field.

The details

Among the rule changes under consideration are: limiting pick protections to only the top 4 or top 14 picks, freezing lottery odds at the trade deadline, preventing teams from picking in the top 4 in consecutive years or after consecutive bottom-3 finishes, and basing lottery odds on a team's performance over a 2-year period rather than just the current season.

  • On February 19, 2026, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Adam Silver spoke to NBA general managers about the potential anti-tanking rule changes.

The players

Adam Silver

The Commissioner of the National Basketball Association.

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What they’re saying

“Commissioner Adam Silver informed the league's 30 general managers on Thursday that the NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season, sources tell ESPN. Stakeholders have intensified dialogue about combatting tanking.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Reporter

What’s next

The NBA is expected to finalize the specific anti-tanking rule changes in the coming months, with the goal of implementing them for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The NBA's proposed anti-tanking measures aim to discourage teams from intentionally losing games to improve their draft position, a practice that has become increasingly common in recent years. While the specific rule changes are still being determined, the league's goal is to maintain the competitive integrity of the game and ensure a more level playing field for all teams.