Basketball fans, it’s been quite the week. While some of us are still processing the heartbreak of the Canadian Women's hockey team missing out on gold, another intriguing development has surfaced in the basketball world. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is reportedly gearing up to tackle the controversial issue of tanking.
For those familiar with the Toronto Raptors' recent seasons, the concept of tanking isn’t foreign. It’s a strategy that, when executed correctly, can yield future stars like Scottie Barnes.
However, the journey through a tanking season is anything but pleasant. The product on the court during these times can be tough to watch, and it’s clear why the league is eager to address it.
After all, fans aren’t exactly lining up to pay premium prices to watch a team intentionally underperform, hoping to snag a top draft pick in a few years.
The challenge for the NBA is finding effective measures to curb this practice. While current efforts like stricter injury management policies and award eligibility criteria for players with limited game appearances are steps in the right direction, they haven’t fully solved the problem. There will always be advocates for tanking-those who see the value in enduring short-term pain for the potential of landing a franchise-altering talent.
Looking at the WNBA provides an interesting perspective. The league uses a two-year performance window to determine draft odds, which discourages teams from tanking for just one season.
This system reflects the realities of a smaller league with shorter seasons, where some franchises struggle due to disparities in facilities and player treatment. These factors naturally influence their competitiveness and draft positioning.
Take the Connecticut Sun, for example. Despite reaching the WNBA semifinals in 2024, they missed the playoffs in 2025 and ended up with only the fifth-best lottery odds due to their prior success. This begs the question: would a similar two-year draft odds system benefit the NBA, or could it complicate matters further?
As the NBA considers its next move, the debate continues. Can the league effectively crack down on tanking?
Is it the right approach? And what innovative solutions might they explore to address this issue?
Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.