As the 2025-26 NBA season nears its conclusion, some teams are resting players to improve their chances for a higher draft pick.
The topic of tanking in the NBA has gained attention recently, with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sharing his thoughts. He criticized teams that tank, calling them “losers” and described the practice as “ridiculous.”
“Tanking is a losing behavior by losers. Intentionally losing games should not be something anyone wants to be associated with. It’s embarrassing for the league and for the teams involved. Referring to this as a ‘strategy’ is absurd,” Ishbia stated in a detailed post on X.
“A weak team gets a good pick, which is logical. However, actively shutting down players and losing purposefully harms the integrity of the league.
“This is much worse than any betting scandal. It involves deliberately losing games. It’s unfair to fans who pay to support their teams and to the genuine teams competing for playoff positions.
“This behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed by Adam Silver and the NBA. I trust he will implement the necessary changes. Those of us in influential roles must advocate for what’s right for the fans, players, and the NBA community.”