Adam Silver Sends Independent Medical Team to Evaluate Lauri Markkanen
League steps in amid tanking concerns
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has moved quickly after rising questions about the Utah Jazz’s approach this season. The league fined the team $500,000 for conduct it said harmed the NBA’s integrity as concerns mounted that Utah might be managing games and minutes to improve draft positioning.
The controversy focused on Lauri Markkanen’s injury status and whether his availability was being handled for competitive advantage. To get clarity, Silver sent an independent group of medical professionals to Utah to examine Markkanen in person. If the review uncovers any irregularities, the team could face further discipline — including the possible loss of draft picks.
Utah currently sits near the bottom of the Western Conference with an 18–40 record, and the league’s scrutiny has only increased as the season progresses.
Off-court noise: the Jabari Smith Jr. situation
In a separate story, a controversy involving messages tied to a fake account put young forward Jabari Smith Jr. in an awkward spot after he was mentioned unfavorably. The posts fueled speculation about who was behind the account and whether a high-profile player might have been involved.
There’s no definitive proof linking any particular person to the messages yet, but the episode has added to the off-court distractions surrounding young players. Fans and teams are waiting to see how the investigations play out and what, if any, consequences follow.
