NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is exploring anti-tanking strategies with General Managers, according to AP sources. The NBA aims to implement new policies for the upcoming season to reduce the incentive for teams to tank, as two informed individuals revealed on Thursday. This follows Silver's statement at the All-Star events, where he emphasized the consideration of all remedies to halt tanking behavior. During a call with GMs, Silver outlined several potential solutions, though the league has not yet publicly disclosed specific plans. ESPN initially reported on these discussions. The ideas include locking lottery odds by a specific date, eliminating the incentive for teams to lose on purpose in the final weeks of the season. The issue will be further discussed at a Board of Governors meeting next month. The NBA has previously addressed tanking through various measures, including lottery format adjustments, the introduction of the Player Participation Policy, and substantial fines, such as the $750,000 penalty imposed on the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 for sitting out key players in a late-season game. Silver highlighted two approaches: addressing immediate team behavior and reevaluating the draft lottery system for fair competition and fan satisfaction.
