The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 123-114 on February 20 in a game that featured 14 combined inactive players, reinforcing the tanking concerns that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has described as ‘worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory.’
The Grizzlies were without nine players, while the Jazz sat five, including forward Lauri Markkanen, who was ruled out due to illness for the third time since December. Both teams are positioned in the lower half of the standings with incentives tied to the 2026 NBA Draft.
The league has already issued fines this season — $500,000 to the Jazz and $100,000 to the Pacers — for what it determined were tanking-related violations.
Why the 2026 draft class is driving teams to prioritize losses
The 2026 NBA Draft is considered one of the deepest classes in recent years, creating a strong incentive for teams outside playoff contention to position themselves for a higher selection. Under the current lottery system, the three worst records each share a 14% chance at the No. 1 overall pick — odds that make losing marginally more valuable with each defeat.
Memphis’ 123-114 win over Utah moved the Grizzlies up in the standings, potentially hurting their draft positioning despite the short-term result. For both franchises, the remaining schedule functions primarily as a lottery-odds calculation rather than a competitive stretch.
NBA considering limits on draft pick protections and consecutive top-four picks
The league is in active discussions about new anti-tanking measures. Proposals under consideration include limiting first-round pick protections and prohibiting teams from securing top-four draft selections in consecutive years.
The challenge for the NBA is distinguishing between teams that are deliberately underperforming and teams that are genuinely depleted by injuries or roster limitations. Markkanen’s three illness-related absences since December illustrate the gray area — legitimate health issues can mirror the roster patterns associated with intentional tanking.
How tanking affects NBA broadcast value and sports betting integrity
Games featuring heavily depleted rosters create problems beyond the standings. Broadcast partners and sponsors expect competitive matchups, and the expansion of legalized sports betting has introduced additional stakeholders who depend on games being played at full competitive intensity.
The NBA’s fines this season signal an increased willingness to penalize teams financially, but the $500,000 penalty issued to the Jazz represents a fraction of the franchise’s revenue and is unlikely to outweigh the long-term value of a top draft pick. Whether the proposed structural changes — particularly restrictions on consecutive top-four selections — would create a stronger deterrent remains the central question as the league finalizes its approach.