NBA Commissioner Vows to Solve Tanking Problem Before Next Season

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday that the league will implement changes to address teams deliberately losing games to improve draft position. Silver said owners unanimously agreed on the need for reform, with a special meeting planned for May to finalize the solution.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA is committed to solving its tanking problem, and the controversial 65-game requirement for awards may stay in place.

Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday that the league will modify its draft system and tackle the tanking controversy before the upcoming season begins. He referenced the success of the player participation policy in reducing load management as evidence that the NBA can implement meaningful reforms.

During the two-day board of governors meeting that concluded Wednesday, team owners discussed tanking — when franchises intentionally lose games to improve their chances of securing top draft selections. Silver noted that no formal votes occurred and no particular teams were singled out for criticism.

“We are going to fix it,” Silver declared. “Full stop.”

According to Silver, the league has been analyzing recent tanking concerns for several months and has previously tackled this challenge multiple times through various modifications to the draft and lottery systems.

“I would say it seemed unanimous in the room that we needed to make a change, and we need to make a change for next season,” Silver explained during his press conference following the ownership meetings. “Exactly what that change is, we’re continuing to work on. … I think there’s also unanimous agreement that we need to make this change in advance of the draft and free agency this year, so all the teams understand the rules of the road going into next year.”

Silver indicated that a special board meeting in May will likely be scheduled to finalize the solution. League general managers have held multiple discussions on the topic, and various teams have submitted proposals for addressing the problem.

Regarding other topics discussed Wednesday:

Silver addressed the National Basketball Players Association’s Tuesday statement requesting modifications to the 65-game requirement for major individual honors.

The NBPA agreed to this rule through collective bargaining as part of their current contract with the league. The union highlighted Detroit’s Cade Cunningham as an example — he would likely earn All-NBA recognition this season but may not qualify due to the 65-game minimum.

“We always knew when there’s a line you draw that somebody’s going to fall on the other side of that line and it may feel unfair in that particular instance,” Silver stated. “Let’s see what happens at the end of this year. By the way, Cade Cunningham, he’s an incredible player. I’m sorry that he’s injured and can’t wait to see him back on the floor.

“But having said that, we also have to remember that to the extent that one player is no longer eligible, some other player will then be All-NBA and will slot into that spot. I’m not ready to stand here saying, I don’t think it’s working. I think it is working.”

The NBPA contends the rule should target “excessive load management” while ensuring players don’t lose deserved recognition or feel pressured to compete while injured to reach the games-played requirement.

Silver mentioned that NBA owners — many of whom also have investments in the WNBA — reviewed the new collective bargaining agreement between that league and its players.

“People were extremely happy about the fact that the collective bargaining situation was resolved in time to save training camp and free agency and the season,” Silver commented.

When asked about WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s future beyond 2026, Silver responded cautiously.

“We haven’t had those discussions yet with the WNBA board,” Silver said. “I would obviously say Cathy’s done a fantastic job since she’s come to the WNBA. … I would say the results speak for themselves. I’m very happy, and I know the ownership is very happy with where things stand.”