NBA Heightens Focus on Tanking After January Competition Committee Meeting
nba-heightens-focus-on-tanking-after-january-competition-committee-meeting
The NBA’s Competition Committee devoted significant time in late January to the league’s growing concerns about teams deliberately losing games, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Despite recent measures such as flattening the draft-lottery odds, Stein reported that nearly one-third of the league’s 30 franchises appear motivated to rack up losses over the rest of the season. The incentive stems from a draft class headlined by highly regarded prospects Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson, all projected top-four picks.
The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, each of whom completed major trades last week, are particularly intent on finishing in the bottom four of the standings. Both teams owe top-eight-protected first-round picks, and in each of the last three lotteries the club with the worst record slid to the No. 5 slot.
Executives around the league have also pointed to recent examples where draft positioning yielded quick gains. San Antonio’s recent surge coincides with securing top-four picks in three consecutive drafts, while Philadelphia landed forward VJ Edgecombe at No. 3 after a late-season slide a year ago.
Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to face a flurry of questions about tanking during his annual All-Star Weekend press conference later this month.
Additional Notes From Stein
Kawhi Leonard: The Los Angeles Clippers fielded multiple inquiries for Leonard in the final hour before last Thursday’s trade deadline, once their Ivica Zubac deal with Indiana became public. While Leonard ultimately stayed put, rival teams are preparing off-season offers for the All-NBA forward, who is under contract for one more year and is eligible for an extension.
Lonzo Ball: Golden State has considered signing Lonzo Ball once he clears waivers, but lingering health concerns could derail that pursuit. Chris Haynes reported on X (formerly Twitter) that several clubs are currently evaluating the point guard’s medical records before deciding whether to extend an offer.
Source: Hoops Rumors
