The NBA sent a clear message this week - but was it loud enough?
Both the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were fined for what the league called improper “management of their rosters for recent games,” a phrase that’s become synonymous with tanking. Utah took the bigger hit, slapped with a $500,000 fine, while Indiana was docked $100,000. But for many around the league, including former NBA player and current analyst Kendrick Perkins, the penalties didn’t come close to matching the offense.
Perkins didn’t mince words on NBA Today, calling the fines “light” and accusing both franchises of flat-out throwing games. “I wish Adam Silver would have fined them $5 million for disrespecting the game of basketball,” Perkins said.
“Let’s stop being nice about it and throwing out the word ‘tanking.’ No, it’s actually throwing games.”
That’s a strong accusation, but let’s unpack the specifics.
The league pointed to two recent Jazz games - February 7 against the Orlando Magic and February 9 against the Miami Heat - as key examples. In both matchups, Utah sat key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter.
The games were competitive, and neither player was listed with an injury. In other words, it wasn’t about rest or recovery - it looked intentional.
And that’s the problem. The NBA is built on competition.
Every possession, every game, every season is supposed to matter. When a team appears to be intentionally undermining that spirit, it doesn’t just hurt the standings - it chips away at the integrity of the sport.
Perkins took it a step further, questioning the rationale behind tanking in the first place. “There’s not a generational talent in this draft,” he said.
“Do they have some good franchise guys? Absolutely.
But is AJ Dybantsa a Victor Wembanyama? Is he a Cooper Flagg?
Is he a LeBron? No.”
It’s a fair point. While the 2026 draft class does feature some intriguing prospects, none have the can’t-miss, franchise-altering aura that justifies a full-blown tank job. And if the goal is to lose now in hopes of winning later, teams better be absolutely sure that the “later” is worth it.
As it stands, the Jazz are 18-38 - third-worst in the Western Conference. That record may boost their lottery odds, but at what cost?
"I wish Adam Silver would've fined them $5M for disrespecting the game of basketball. Let's stop being nice about it and throwing out the word 'tanking.' No, it's actually throwing games."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 13, 2026
—@KendrickPerkins weighs in on the Jazz and Pacers being fined for sitting healthy players… pic.twitter.com/GoTP7vfQO2
Fans pay to see their teams compete. Players want to win.
And the league, understandably, wants to maintain credibility.
The NBA has taken steps in recent years to discourage tanking - from flattening lottery odds to implementing the Play-In Tournament. But as this latest round of fines shows, the issue hasn’t gone away entirely.
If anything, it’s evolving. Teams are getting more creative, and the league is being forced to respond.
The question now is whether fines like these are enough to deter teams from crossing the line again. Perkins doesn’t think so - and he’s not alone. Whether it’s $500,000 or $5 million, the message needs to be unmistakable: Compete, or pay the price.