In a recent virtual meeting, NBA general managers gathered to discuss potential anti-tanking measures, a hot topic as the league looks to maintain its integrity. Evan Wasch, an NBA executive vice president, laid out ideas for changes that could be implemented next season. Sean Marks, the Brooklyn Nets GM, raised concerns about the timing of these changes, highlighting the challenge for teams in the midst of strategic rebuilds.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stepped in, asserting that the focus for the next season should be on winning games. This exchange underscored the tension between team strategies and the league's efforts to curb tanking, a practice where teams lose on purpose to secure better draft positions.
Silver, known for his usually diplomatic approach, took on a more direct tone reminiscent of his predecessor, David Stern. He pointed out that while some general managers claim their coaches are on board with tanking strategies, the reality is different. Coaches, he argued, are often reluctant participants in these plans.
The meeting highlighted the need for systemic changes to shift incentives away from losing. One GM from a successful post-tank team expressed support for Silver's stance, acknowledging the need for rule changes. Another executive admitted that both the rules and team strategies contribute to the problem.
Proposed solutions included limiting draft pick protections and preventing teams from securing top-four picks in consecutive years. The discussion also touched on more blatant tanking practices, like those seen with teams such as the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers, who have faced fines for their tactics.
The league is seeking input from all 30 teams to create a system that discourages losing. While the conversation was tense, it was also seen as constructive, with a collective understanding that changes are necessary to preserve the competitive spirit of the game.