Tanking has taken over the final months of the NBA regular season this year, with seemingly more teams than ever in a race to the bottom and willing to do whatever it takes (and incur whatever fines go with it) to up their odds of a top pick.
Much has (and will) be written about all the potential solutions to the problem, but rest assured that struggling organizations will always do whatever it takes when talent like the players in the 2026 NBA draft class are on the table. And undoubtedly one reason why so many teams are trying to lose right now is that this year’s draft isn’t a zero-sum game with one or two prizes. Falling to fourth or fifth, especially with 2027’s draft expected to be much weaker at the top, could still net an elite asset and make a few months of added pain worthwhile.
