During a recent press conference in Los Angeles, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the growing concern of 'tanking'—the strategy employed by some teams, which involves intentionally losing games to secure higher draft picks. Silver acknowledged the rising prevalence of this practice and indicated that the league is considering changes to the draft lottery format as a proactive measure to combat it. This follows recent fines imposed on the Utah Jazz and the Indiana Pacers, which reflect the NBA’s commitment to ensuring fair competition among teams.

Silver stated that since 'tanking' has been a tactic within the league for many years, it is crucial to address it head-on. He described a productive dialogue he had with former NBA player Pau Gasol regarding the potential development of the NBA in Europe, indicating that the league is looking globally and expanding its influence. Silver articulated that the objective of altering the draft system is to prevent teams from intentionally undermining the integrity of the league.

The recent fines serve to underscore that the NBA is taking a firm stance against actions that compromise competitive balance, signaling that further scrutiny will be applied to team alignment decisions. Silver's remarks point to a broader initiative to enhance the league's competitive landscape, thereby maintaining the allure of the NBA for fans while ensuring that no teams engage in practices that could diminish the quality of play.