Colin Cowherd Claims Jazz Fans Are Fine With Tanking

The Utah Jazz are on track to miss the playoffs for the third straight year and end up in the lottery yet again.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Sports commentator Colin Cowherd believes that Utah Jazz fans are accepting of their team's recent struggles and are fine with the team tanking this season in order to improve their chances of landing a high draft pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Why it matters

The Jazz have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons and are currently in the bottom half of the Western Conference standings. Cowherd's comments suggest that the team's fanbase is resigned to another losing season and is more focused on the potential rewards of securing a top draft pick rather than immediate on-court success.

The details

Entering the second half of the season, the Jazz have the third-worst record in the Western Conference at 18-38. The NBA recently fined the Jazz $500,000 for "compromising the integrity" of the league by benching their healthy players in recent games. Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play in the fourth quarter of their games against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat last week, and the Jazz lost both games. Jackson is now out for the season as he is set to have surgery on his left knee.

  • The Jazz have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons.
  • The Jazz were fined $500,000 by the NBA last week for benching healthy players.

The players

Colin Cowherd

A sports commentator who believes Utah Jazz fans are accepting of their team's recent struggles and are fine with the team tanking this season.

Lauri Markkanen

A Jazz player who was benched in the fourth quarter of recent games.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A Jazz player who was benched in the fourth quarter of recent games and is now out for the season due to knee surgery.

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What they’re saying

“I think the Utah fans, who almost have a collegiate feel because it's a smaller NBA market, I think they're in on it. I think they know it. I think they go to the games and enjoy it with their friends, but if you ask them if you can get the number two pick or the number 14 pick, they would take the number two.”

— Colin Cowherd, Sports Commentator (Clutchpoints)

The takeaway

Cowherd's comments suggest that Jazz fans have become resigned to their team's recent struggles and are more focused on the potential rewards of securing a high draft pick rather than immediate on-court success. This raises questions about the team's long-term direction and the level of patience among the fanbase.