Tanking Fines May Not Be Enough as NBA Owners Weigh Lottery Odds Over Penalties

As the NBA calendar flips toward the second half of the season, contenders begin sharpening their rotations and eyeing postseason seeding. Every possession carries weight, and the chase for playoff positioning intensifies across both conferences.

But for teams outside the race, the focus can look very different. Instead of pushing for marginal wins, some franchises quietly pivot toward draft positioning — a strategy commonly labeled tanking — hoping short-term losses will translate into long-term gains.

The practice has long troubled the league office. When lineups appear designed more to preserve lottery odds than compete nightly, it raises questions about competitive integrity and leaves fans paying to watch undermanned rosters.

Even with fines in place to discourage the tactic, some around the league believe the penalties barely register for ownership groups whose wealth far exceeds the cost of a check.

1. The Cost of Losing on Purpose

Tanking isn’t new, but it remains controversial. For struggling teams, the promise of a top-three pick — and the chance to draft a transformational player — can outweigh the value of a few extra wins in a lost season. The NBA has tried to curb the behavior with rules and monetary punishments. Organizations that sit healthy players or openly deprioritize competition risk fines for conduct deemed detrimental to the league. Yet, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN, those penalties may not carry much sting. Speaking on the The Hoop Collective, Marks suggested the math simply doesn’t work. For billionaire owners, a multimillion-dollar fine can feel like a small price to pay if it increases the odds of drafting a franchise cornerstone. In that context, the penalty becomes less of a deterrent and more of a calculated expense.

2. Billionaire Owners, Small Penalties

The financial gap is striking. Consider Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, whose net worth ranks among the highest of any team owner in sports. He’s hardly alone. Ownership groups around the league include figures such as Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont with the Dallas Mavericks, Robert Pera of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Dan Gilbert of the Cleveland Cavaliers. For ownership groups of that scale, a $5 million or even $8 million penalty barely dents the balance sheet. Marks relayed that one team executive even joked about simply writing the check if it meant better draft odds. That reality complicates enforcement. If the punishment doesn’t meaningfully impact decision-makers, the league’s leverage diminishes, leaving competitive integrity largely dependent on good faith.

3. Recent Fines and Ongoing Debate

The NBA has continued to police the issue. Recently, the Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for sitting healthy players, moves the league classified as detrimental conduct. Both teams currently sit near the bottom of their respective conferences, where the incentive to improve lottery positioning can be strong. From the league’s perspective, resting able players sends the wrong message to fans and competitors alike. Still, critics argue that financial penalties alone may not be enough. Some have suggested harsher consequences, such as the loss of draft picks or other basketball-related sanctions that hit closer to a team’s long-term goals. Until a more effective deterrent emerges, the tension is likely to persist. As contenders chase wins and rebuilders eye the future, the league must balance strategy with fairness.