NBA to Implement Sweeping Anti-Tanking Measures Starting 2026-27 Season, League Sources Confirm

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is set to introduce significant rule adjustments aimed at combating the increasing prevalence of tanking, with changes slated to take effect from the 2026-27 season. Commissioner Adam Silver conveyed the league’s intentions to its general managers on Thursday, signaling a decisive move to address concerns that have intensified significantly throughout the recent All-Star break. While the specific reforms are yet to be formally announced, multiple reports, including those from ESPN, indicate that the league has been in intensive discussions over at least seven potential rule modifications designed to diminish the incentive for teams to intentionally underperform.

The discussions underscore a growing consensus within the league that the current system, which disproportionately rewards lower-finishing teams with higher odds in the annual draft lottery, has created an environment ripe for strategic losing. This practice, often termed "tanking," involves teams deliberately fielding less competitive rosters or resting key players to improve their draft positioning, with the long-term goal of acquiring high-caliber collegiate talent. While a core strategy for some franchises seeking a rapid rebuild, it has drawn increasing criticism from fans, players, and league executives for compromising competitive integrity and impacting the overall fan experience.

Historically, the NBA has made several attempts to mitigate tanking. The most notable reform came in 2019, when the league flattened the odds for the top picks in the draft lottery, ensuring that the three worst teams would each have a 14% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick. Prior to this, the worst team had a 25% chance, creating a much stronger incentive to finish last. Despite these adjustments, the allure of a generational talent at the top of the draft board continues to fuel strategic losing, leading to the current push for more stringent measures.

Commissioner Silver himself addressed the issue during his All-Star media availability, acknowledging an "increased prevalence" of tanking behavior across the league. His remarks highlighted the NBA’s commitment to maintaining a competitive product, emphasizing that the integrity of the game is paramount. Further reinforcing this stance, Mike Krzyzewski, who serves as a senior adviser to basketball operations, was reportedly among those at Thursday’s meeting with general managers who advocated for immediate steps to curb tanking attempts, lending his considerable experience and influence to the league’s efforts.

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The sentiment against tanking extends to team ownership as well. Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns, publicly called for "massive changes" in a social media post on Thursday, unequivocally labeling tanking as "losing behavior." Ishbia’s outspoken criticism reflects a broader frustration among owners of competitive franchises who believe that intentional losing devalues the league’s product and undermines the competitive spirit that should define professional sports.

The urgency for these new rules has been underscored by several recent incidents that resulted in significant fines for teams found to be manipulating their lineups. Just last week, the NBA levied a substantial $500,000 fine against the Utah Jazz for conduct detrimental to the league. This penalty followed an investigation into the Jazz’s lineup management during games on February 7 against the Orlando Magic and February 9 against the Miami Heat. In both instances, the Jazz notably pulled star players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. prior to the start of the fourth quarter, and did not reinsert them into the games, despite the team holding leads at critical junctures. For instance, against the Magic, the Jazz held a narrow lead heading into the final period before their key players were benched, ultimately leading to a loss. Similarly, against the Heat, a competitive third quarter saw the Jazz in a position to contend before the unexpected removal of their primary offensive and defensive threats. These actions were deemed by the league to be a deliberate attempt to compromise the team’s competitiveness.

In another related enforcement action, the Indiana Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the NBA’s Player Participation Policy during a February 3 contest against the Jazz. The investigation revealed that forward Pascal Siakam and two other starters, who were listed as inactive for the game, could have participated under the league’s established medical standards. The Player Participation Policy, introduced to ensure that healthy players are available for games, particularly nationally televised matchups, aims to prevent teams from resting multiple key players without legitimate medical reasons. The Pacers’ fine served as a clear message regarding the league’s intensified scrutiny of roster management practices.

The current lottery system, while modified, still inherently encourages teams to finish as low as possible in the standings to maximize their chances of securing a high draft pick. This creates a perverse incentive structure where losing can be perceived as a strategic advantage, especially for teams without immediate championship aspirations. The seven potential rule changes reportedly discussed are all aimed at disrupting this incentive and promoting continuous competitiveness throughout the 82-game regular season.

While the specifics remain confidential, industry insiders and sports analysts have speculated on a range of potential reforms that could be among those considered. These proposals often reflect ideas previously championed by fans and experts seeking to re-inject competitive balance and discourage intentional losing.

One frequently discussed concept is the implementation of a "lottery tournament" or "play-in for draft picks." Under such a system, teams that miss the playoffs but demonstrate competitive effort throughout the season – perhaps those finishing 9th through 12th in each conference – could compete in a mini-tournament for enhanced lottery odds, potentially even the top pick. This would reward teams for trying to win games rather than lose them, offering a tangible incentive for competitiveness outside of playoff contention. For example, a team that finishes 11th with 38 wins might have a better chance at a top-5 pick than a team that finishes 15th with 20 wins, if the former performs well in this hypothetical tournament.

Another proposal gaining traction involves further adjustments to the weighted lottery system, possibly incorporating mid-season standings or even strength of schedule into the calculation of draft odds. This could prevent teams from simply abandoning competitiveness in the final months of the season, as their earlier performance or the difficulty of their schedule might still influence their lottery position. This would encourage sustained effort rather than a late-season collapse.

A more radical suggestion has been to explore some form of reverse standings draft order for later rounds, or even a system where teams are incentivized with better draft assets (e.g., future second-round picks, cash considerations) for reaching certain competitive benchmarks, even if they don’t make the playoffs. This could provide a different pathway to asset acquisition beyond merely losing games.

Furthermore, stricter enforcement and potentially expanded definitions of the Player Participation Policy are likely to be on the table. The fines against the Jazz and Pacers illustrate the league’s willingness to use its existing framework, but the new rules could involve more severe penalties, including loss of draft picks or even revenue sharing adjustments for teams deemed to be consistently non-competitive without a clear, legitimate rebuilding strategy. Such measures would aim to make the financial and reputational costs of tanking outweigh the perceived benefits of a high draft pick.

The upcoming changes for the 2026-27 season represent a pivotal moment for the NBA. The league is grappling with the fundamental challenge of balancing the need for competitive balance and talent distribution through the draft with the imperative to maintain integrity and fan engagement in every game. While the exact mechanisms of these anti-tanking rules remain undisclosed, the unified front from Commissioner Silver, league advisors, and prominent owners signals a robust commitment to ensuring that every team strives for victory, ultimately enhancing the product for its global fanbase. The basketball world now awaits the full unveiling of these reforms, which promise to reshape team strategies and potentially the very fabric of NBA competition.

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