NBA Unveils New Anti‑Tanking Concepts Amid Skepticism

Silver’s statement came two months into his tenure, following the lifetime ban of an owner for tanking. The commissioner’s “full stop” pledge signals a hard‑line approach to competitive integrity.

The NBA released a draft of five anti‑tanking levers—flattening odds, expanding the top‑pick pool, adding more picks, a WNBA‑style two‑year average, and a win‑floor mechanism—alongside a proposed 5‑by‑5 tiered draw. Critics say the concepts lack clarity and may not curb tanking, sparking confusion and skepticism among teams and fans.