NBA Teams Lose On Purpose for Better Draft Picks in 2026

Losing on purpose for draft picks is happening more in the NBA. This is different from last year when teams tried harder to win.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The NBA season is reaching a critical point where teams are exhibiting patterns of deliberate underperformance, a practice commonly referred to as "tanking." This strategy, aimed at improving draft lottery odds for high-potential players, has become a central and debated aspect of the league's current landscape. The post-All-Star break period often amplifies these efforts as teams with losing records shift focus toward securing better future draft positioning.

Context: The Draft Lottery and Competitive Imbalance

The National Basketball Association (NBA) operates a draft lottery system designed to give less successful teams a greater chance at acquiring top prospects. This system, intended to foster competitive balance, has inadvertently created an incentive for some teams to lose games intentionally. This strategy allows teams to accumulate losses, thereby increasing their probability of securing a higher pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

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  • Timeline of Focus: While tanking is a persistent issue, it becomes particularly noticeable in the latter half of the regular season, especially after the All-Star break. This period is when teams have a clearer picture of their playoff chances and when those mathematically eliminated begin to assess future prospects.

  • Key Actors:

  • Teams: Various teams, particularly those with poor win-loss records, are identified as engaging in tanking. Specific teams like the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers are mentioned in this context.

  • League Officials: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly expressed disapproval of tanking and is actively seeking solutions to curb the practice.

  • Coaches and Players: Some coaches, like Steve Kerr, acknowledge the complexity and negative impact of tanking on fan engagement.

  • Observed Behaviors:

  • Deliberate Losses: Teams may exhibit a pattern of losing games they might otherwise be expected to win.

  • Player Management: Decisions regarding player availability, including resting key players or giving less playing time to established talent, can be perceived as part of a tanking strategy.

  • Trading Players: Some reports suggest teams have traded healthy, productive players for injured ones or draft compensation, further signaling a focus on future rebuilding.

Evidence of Strategic Losing

The ongoing discussion surrounding tanking is supported by analyses of team performance trends and proposed league interventions.

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  • Performance Fluctuations: Teams' win-loss records post-All-Star break are scrutinized for signs of increased losing. For example, the Utah Jazz and 76ers both had a 4-24 record after the All-Star break in one reported instance. This stark drop in performance suggests a potential shift in team priorities.

  • Lottery Odds Calculations: Simulations indicate how different team performance levels would alter lottery standings. If teams had maintained their pre-All-Star winning percentages, the Utah Jazz might have dropped from the No. 1 lottery spot to No. 3, and the Philadelphia 76ers from No. 5 to No. 7. Conversely, teams like Chicago and Atlanta could have seen their lottery positions improve.

  • League Initiatives: The NBA is reportedly brainstorming new anti-tanking measures, indicating an acknowledgment of the issue's persistence and a desire to find solutions. This includes discussions about revising the player participation policy.

Small Markets and the Tanking Conundrum

Small-market teams, often facing economic disadvantages compared to larger market franchises, find themselves in a unique predicament regarding tanking.

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  • Resource Disparity: Small-market teams are often perceived as farm systems for larger markets, struggling to retain top talent due to financial limitations and greater opportunities elsewhere.

  • Strategic Necessity vs. League Rules: While the league discourages tanking, some argue it presents a necessary, albeit ethically questionable, path for small-market teams to acquire high-caliber talent through the draft, especially when competing financially is challenging. The Utah Jazz are cited as a team that openly acknowledges its past and present tanking.

  • The Appearance of Effort: Despite a commitment to tanking, teams must still present an appearance of trying to win to comply with league regulations and maintain fan interest. This creates a difficult balancing act.

Proposed Solutions and League Response

Various ideas have been proposed to address and potentially mitigate the impact of tanking on the NBA.

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  • Eliminating the Lottery: One proposal suggests removing the draft lottery altogether, forcing teams to earn their draft picks through on-court performance. Proponents argue this would eliminate the incentive for losing.

  • Revising Draft Pick Distribution: Ideas include altering how draft picks are awarded or implementing restrictions on how teams can acquire future picks, potentially limiting the strategic advantage gained from tanking.

  • Player Participation Policies: Strengthening and enforcing policies that require certain players to participate in games could disincentivize deliberate benching of talent.

  • European Models: Some discussions explore incorporating elements from European sports leagues, where promotion and relegation systems, or different draft structures, might influence competitive strategies.

  • Counting Wins: A proposal to count wins rather than losses for draft positioning is also under consideration.

League Commissioner's Stance

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made it clear that the league does not endorse or condone tanking. His administration has been actively exploring potential remedies, signaling a commitment to resolving what is seen as a detrimental practice for the sport's integrity and fan experience.

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Conclusion: An Ongoing Struggle for Competitive Balance

The NBA faces a persistent challenge in balancing the allure of top draft picks with the imperative of maintaining competitive integrity throughout the regular season. The practice of "tanking," or strategic losing, has become deeply entrenched, driven by the lottery system and economic disparities between franchises.

  • Key Findings:

  • Teams are exhibiting behaviors consistent with intentional losing to improve draft lottery odds, particularly in the post-All-Star break period.

  • Small-market teams often view tanking as a viable, if controversial, strategy for talent acquisition.

  • The NBA is actively considering and discussing various solutions to curb tanking, reflecting the league's concern.

  • Implications: The continuation of tanking impacts fan engagement, the perceived fairness of the competition, and the overall health of the league.

  • Next Steps: Continued observation of team performance, the evaluation of proposed rule changes, and the league's official response will be crucial in determining the future of tanking in the NBA. The effectiveness of any implemented solutions will be measured by a demonstrable shift towards genuine competition across all teams, regardless of their market size or current standing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are some NBA teams losing games on purpose in 2026?
Teams are losing on purpose, called 'tanking,' to get better chances in the NBA draft lottery. This helps them pick talented young players for the future.
Q: Which NBA teams are reportedly trying to lose games for draft picks?
Teams like the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers have shown performance drops after the All-Star break in 2026, suggesting they might be tanking. Other teams like the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers are also mentioned.
Q: What is the NBA doing about teams losing on purpose?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver does not like tanking. The league is thinking about new rules to stop it, like changing how draft picks are given or making players play more games.
Q: How does losing on purpose help teams get better draft picks?
The NBA draft lottery gives worse teams a better chance to pick high. By losing more games, teams increase their odds of getting a top pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Q: Are small market NBA teams more likely to try and lose for draft picks?
Yes, some small market teams feel they need to tank because they have less money than big market teams. Tanking is seen as a way for them to get good players they can't afford to sign.