Throughout Adam Silver’s tenure as commissioner, the NBA has persistently tried to tackle issues lacking clear solutions. Illustrating this is the upcoming Team USA vs. Team World All-Star Game, adopting its fourth format in as many years.

Now, the league is focusing on eliminating tanking. Recently, the NBA imposed a $500,000 fine on the Utah Jazz for actions deemed detrimental to the league after resting players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during critical game periods. Similarly, the Indiana Pacers faced a $100,000 penalty for breaching the Player Participation Policy by sidelining key player Pascal Siakam and two starters in a game against the Jazz.

A statement from Silver criticized such conduct, stating, “Overt behavior that prioritizes draft positioning over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition, and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games. We are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”

These penalties illustrate the NBA’s ongoing battle to combat tanking. Critics argue that such moves fail to address the underlying motivations that drive teams to tank, particularly the potential for securing top draft picks.

Short of abolishing the draft, the league can only make it more challenging for underperforming teams to land elite prospects, acknowledging that the practice will persist as long as the draft remains a key factor in building championship-caliber squads.