NBA Looks to Curb Tanking Amid Mavericks' Struggles

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd weighs in on the league's plans to address the issue of teams purposefully losing to improve draft position.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 9:38pm

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The Dallas Mavericks have struggled this season, entering Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers on a 10-game losing streak. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged that tanking is "worse this year than we've seen in recent memory." Mavericks coach Jason Kidd discussed the league's plans to implement new rules to prevent tanking, including no longer allowing teams to pick in the top four in consecutive years or after consecutive bottom-three finishes, and extending the draft lottery to include all play-in teams.

Why it matters

Tanking has become a controversial issue in the NBA, with teams accused of purposefully losing games to improve their draft position. The league is looking to crack down on this practice, which it sees as undermining the integrity of the competition. The Mavericks' struggles this season have fueled speculation about tanking, though coach Jason Kidd argues the team's issues are more due to injuries than a deliberate effort to lose.

The details

The Mavericks (19-36) have struggled this season due to a rash of injuries, including to key players like Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis. Even their top draft pick from last year, Cooper Flagg, is currently sidelined. The Pacers (15-57), who have the worst record in the Eastern Conference, were recently fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating the league's player participation policy. The Jazz were also fined $500,000 for similar conduct. Commissioner Silver has said the league will be implementing new measures to address tanking, including preventing teams from picking in the top four in consecutive years or after consecutive bottom-three finishes, and extending the draft lottery to include all play-in teams.

  • The Mavericks enter Sunday's game against the Pacers on a 10-game losing streak, their longest such streak in nearly 30 years.
  • The Pacers were fined $100,000 by the NBA on February 3 for violating the league's player participation policy.
  • The Jazz were fined $500,000 by the NBA for conduct detrimental to the league, also related to roster management.

The players

Jason Kidd

Head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

Adam Silver

Commissioner of the National Basketball Association.

Kyrie Irving

Player for the Dallas Mavericks who has been sidelined by injury this season.

Cooper Flagg

The Mavericks' 2025 first-round draft pick, who is currently sidelined with a left midfoot sprain.

Pascal Siakam

Star player for the Indiana Pacers who was involved in the team's violation of the NBA's player participation policy.

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What they’re saying

“That word 'tanking' is sometimes misused. Sometimes teams aren't trying to tank. They just don't have enough firepower to win. A serious injury to a star player can pivot a franchise, and that happens but I think we're in good hands with the league.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks (dallasnews.com)

“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games. Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”

— Adam Silver, Commissioner, National Basketball Association (dallasnews.com)

What’s next

The NBA plans to implement new rules as soon as next season to prevent tanking, including no longer allowing teams to pick in the top four in consecutive years or after consecutive bottom-three finishes, and extending the draft lottery to include all play-in teams.

The takeaway

The NBA's efforts to curb tanking highlight the league's desire to maintain the integrity of competition and ensure teams are focused on winning rather than improving their draft position. While the Mavericks' struggles this season may have fueled speculation about tanking, coach Jason Kidd argues the team's issues are more due to injuries than a deliberate effort to lose.