The Utah Jazz Are Playing the Tanking Game Differently - and the NBA Should Pay Attention
The Utah Jazz aren’t hiding what they’re doing - but they’re not exactly breaking the rules either. Since mid-November, the Jazz have leaned fully into a strategy that’s become all too familiar in the modern NBA: tanking.
But this version? It’s a little more nuanced, a little more calculated, and a whole lot more frustrating for fans who just want to see competitive basketball for four full quarters.
Let’s break down what’s happening in Salt Lake City.
A New Spin on an Old Strategy
After a surprisingly competent start to the season, the Jazz have shifted gears. The approach?
Play their core players - guys like Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. - through the first three quarters. Then, when the game is hanging in the balance, swap in the reserves and let the chips fall where they may.
It’s happened more than once. Against Atlanta, Utah controlled the game for most of the night before pulling the plug late.
Same story against Orlando. Competitive early, disengaged late.
The result? Losses that help keep their draft pick secure without drawing the ire of the league office.
It’s a clever workaround. The NBA has made it clear they’re watching for blatant tanking - benching healthy stars entirely, manufacturing injuries, or sitting players without explanation.
The Jazz aren’t doing that. They’re playing their stars.
Just not when it matters most.
Walking the Line Between Strategy and Sportsmanship
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about effort. The players on the court are competing.
But the rotation decisions coming from the bench are telling a different story. Utah’s not trying to win these games.
They’re trying to stay just competitive enough to avoid fines, while still positioning themselves for a better lottery pick.
And yes, it’s rubbing people the wrong way.
Fans, analysts, and even some within the league have voiced frustration. It’s not hard to see why - this kind of strategic losing feels disingenuous.
Especially when a team with talent like Markkanen and Jackson Jr. could realistically push for a play-in spot. But instead, they’re steering toward the bottom of the standings.
Is it gross? Maybe. But it’s also smart - and that’s what makes it so effective.
Utah’s Tanking 2.0
This isn’t Utah’s first dance with the league office over tanking. They were fined last year for similar tactics, though the punishment was more symbolic than severe. That slap on the wrist seems to have prompted a shift: instead of sitting stars entirely, they’re now giving them just enough minutes to check the “active participation” box.
It’s the NBA’s version of plausible deniability. And Utah may have just found the blueprint.
If you’re a team stuck in the middle - not quite good enough to compete, not quite bad enough to bottom out - this is the kind of strategy that keeps your draft hopes alive without triggering the league’s disciplinary radar. And you can bet other front offices are watching closely.
What Comes Next?
The Jazz might not be the only ones playing this game for long. Teams like Memphis and Dallas are entering transitional phases of their own. If Utah’s approach proves effective - and more importantly, penalty-free - don’t be surprised if others follow suit.
Until the NBA closes this particular loophole, the incentive remains. Teams will continue to chase upside in the draft, even if it means compromising the integrity of the product on the floor in the short term.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. But in a league where one top-5 pick can change a franchise’s trajectory overnight, the risk is worth the reward.
So yes, the Jazz are tanking. But they’re doing it in a way that’s just clever enough to stay within bounds - and just bold enough to make everyone else take notice.