Adam Silver, the Commissioner of the NBA, announced plans to implement significant changes aimed at preventing tanking in the league starting next season. During a meeting with the league’s 30 general managers on March 14, 2024, Silver outlined the league’s commitment to addressing this growing concern in professional basketball.
The discussions leading to these proposed changes have intensified in recent months, with input from various stakeholders, including the board of governors and the competition committee. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the NBA is considering several measures to deter teams from intentionally losing games to improve their draft positions.
Among the concepts under consideration are new restrictions on first-round draft picks, with protections allowed only for top-four or top-14 selections. Additionally, the NBA may implement a freeze on lottery odds at the trade deadline or a later date, preventing teams from repeatedly picking in the top four after consecutive seasons of bottom-three finishes. Other proposals include changes to how lottery odds are allocated, extending the lottery to include all play-in teams, and flattening the odds for all lottery teams.
Silver’s strong stance on the issue was evident during the meeting, where he emphasized the necessity of safeguarding the sport’s integrity. He described the current situation as “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory” and indicated that he is exploring every possible remedy to combat tanking.
During the same meeting, Mike Krzyzewski, serving as a senior adviser to basketball operations, echoed the urgency of addressing the problem. He urged that the league should take a prompt and decisive approach to tackle the issue.
Earlier in the day, Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns, voiced his opinion on social media, asserting that tanking poses a greater threat to the league than any scandal involving prop bets. His comments reflect a growing frustration among team owners regarding the practice of intentionally losing games.
The NBA has already taken action against teams engaging in questionable practices, recently fining the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for sitting healthy players in recent contests. The league’s message is clear: actions that compromise the integrity of basketball will not be tolerated.
As the NBA approaches the 2024-2025 season, the proposed rule changes signal a pivotal shift in how the league intends to handle the issue of tanking. With ongoing discussions anticipated among league officials and general managers, the outcome will be critical for the future of competitive balance in the NBA.
