NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league’s tanking problem has reached its worst point in “recent memory,” and he indicated the NBA is prepared to consider a wide range of measures to address it.
Speaking on the issue, Silver said he is not ruling out any potential remedy aimed at discouraging overt tanking, including the possibility of taking away draft picks.
The comments come as the NBA continues to balance competitive integrity with a draft system that can incentivize struggling teams to prioritize long-term roster building. Silver’s remarks underscore the league’s concern about teams making deliberate, visible choices that reduce their chances of winning.
League focus on competitive integrity
Silver’s stance signals that the NBA is keeping all enforcement and structural options under consideration as it looks for ways to deter teams from intentionally losing. While he did not outline specific changes or timelines, he made clear the league views the current environment as a significant issue and is evaluating potential fixes.