Heading into the 2025-26 season, the general expectation around the league was that the Boston Celtics were due for a reset. After losing several key rotation players, the assumption was that this would be a transitional year-one where the team might take a step back before reloading for another title push once Jayson Tatum returned to full strength.
Instead, Boston has flipped that narrative on its head.
At the All-Star break, the Celtics sit in the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. And with Tatum reportedly nearing a return, the idea of waiting until next year to contend is quickly becoming outdated.
This team isn’t just surviving-they’re thriving. And if Tatum can get back on the floor in time for the stretch run, Boston might be poised to make noise in the playoffs much sooner than expected.
That kind of resilience stands in stark contrast to what we’re seeing elsewhere in the league.
While the Celtics are pushing forward, other franchises are leaning into a different strategy entirely-tanking. The Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were both recently fined by the NBA for resting healthy players, a move the league has been trying to curb under commissioner Adam Silver.
The Jazz were hit with a $500,000 penalty, while the Pacers were fined $100,000. In NBA terms, that’s pocket change.
Former Celtics big man and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back when weighing in on the issue.
“I wish Adam Silver would’ve fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball,” Perkins said during a recent segment on NBA on ESPN. “Let’s stop being nice about it and throwing out the word ‘tanking.’ No, it’s actually throwing games.”
Perkins’ frustration echoes a sentiment that’s been growing louder across the league. The NBA has tried to discourage blatant tanking-adjusting the lottery odds, implementing rest policies, and now issuing fines-but the problem persists. With two months left in the regular season, some teams are already more focused on draft positioning than winning basketball games.
And while a $5 million fine might be extreme, the broader point Perkins is making resonates. The current penalties aren’t moving the needle.
Teams can absorb a six-figure fine without blinking, especially if it helps them secure a top draft pick. The league’s challenge is finding a way to enforce competitive integrity without overstepping into micromanagement.
Meanwhile, Boston’s approach serves as a reminder that rebuilding doesn’t have to mean retreating. Even without a full deck, the Celtics have stayed competitive, developed their young talent, and put themselves in position to strike once their superstar returns.
That’s not just good basketball-it’s good business. And it’s something the league should be encouraging more of.
So while the debate around tanking continues, one thing is clear: the Celtics aren’t waiting for tomorrow. They’re playing to win today.