NBA Teams Press League to Curb Tanking Ahead of Draft Reforms

Teams want changes to draft incentives

Several NBA front offices are lining up to ask Commissioner Adam Silver for rule changes aimed at reducing incentives to tank. Insiders say proposals will target protections on future draft picks and look at how teams value and trade prospects — moves designed to make deliberately losing less appealing.

One league source even described a recent offer from a non-lottery club that amounted to a near “blank check” for a top-three pick, illustrating how the current system can warp roster and lineup decisions.

League response and what’s next

The debate heated up after the league fined the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers for resting players in situations the office judged unnecessary. The Jazz in particular drew criticism for pulling key players late in a contest against Miami, which sparked talk about whether teams are prioritizing draft positioning over winning.

Commissioner Silver has warned that choosing draft odds over competition won’t be tolerated. The NBA enforces a player participation policy with fines, independent medical reviews and oversight from the Competition Committee and Board of Governors. Utah’s CEO expressed frustration with the punishment, and some fans agreed that not every substitution should trigger tanking accusations.

All 30 teams are expected to submit formal proposals in the coming weeks, with a goal of revamping draft rules by the 2026 offseason. The general aim is to tighten incentives and preserve competitive integrity across the league while balancing player health and valid coaching decisions.