League Announces Sweeping Changes to Deter Intentional Losing

The NBA is taking decisive action against tanking, with Commissioner Adam Silver informing all 30 general managers of impending rule changes for the 2026-27 season. The move comes amid growing concerns about teams strategically losing games to improve their draft position, potentially undermining the competitive spirit of the league.

Proposed Rule Changes Aim to Level the Playing Field

Several proposals are under consideration to curb the practice of tanking. These include:

• Restricting first-round draft pick protections to only top-four or top-14-plus picks.
• Freezing lottery odds at the trade deadline or a later date.
• Prohibiting teams from having top-four picks in consecutive years.
• Prohibiting teams from selecting in the top four after consecutive bottom-three finishes.
• Teams not being allowed to pick top-four the year after making conference finals.
• Allocating lottery odds based on two-year records.
• Extending the lottery to include all play-in teams.

Recent Fines Signal League’s Resolve

The NBA has already demonstrated its commitment to enforcing player participation policies. Recently, the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were fined for sitting healthy players in games, actions the league deemed as potentially compromising the integrity of the competition.

“Commissioner Adam Silver informed the league’s 30 general managers on Thursday that the NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season, sources advise ESPN.”

Shams Charania, ESPN

League Officials Emphasize Urgency

The issue has garnered attention from within the league’s leadership. Senior basketball operations advisor, Mike Krzyzewski, reportedly urged a swift and attack on the problem during the meeting with GMs.

FAQ

What is tanking?

Tanking refers to the intentional strategy of a team losing games to secure a higher draft pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

When will these new rules take effect?

The new rules are planned to be implemented for the 2026-27 NBA season.

What are the potential consequences for teams that tank?

Potential consequences include fines, restrictions on draft pick protections, and limitations on lottery odds.