Tanking in the NBA

Lowe doubts playoff-position teams would tank down into the new lottery range because it would alienate fans.

“I just can't see a team doing that to its fans, especially since a lot of the teams in that spot are younger teams”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 1:22:30

Lowe named tanking the most cataclysmic storyline of the season, saying the story refuses to die and the league is changing rules over it.

“So I, and they're going to change the rules and everyone's just talking about it constantly”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: The 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards With Zach Lowe (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 35:22

Simmons said he is prepared for anything from Portland over the next three months, including a Giannis trade or a new coach.

“I am prepared for anything. Like Giannis Trade, new coach, maybe they bring in a coach GM”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: The 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards With Zach Lowe (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 37:26

Simmons disliked all of the league's proposed anti-tanking rules and suggested instead barring teams from winning the lottery in consecutive years.

“Felly, os ydych chi mewn trefiadau top 3, dydyn nhw ddim yn cael mynd yn ôl. Mae'r rhain yn ymddangos yn eithaf syml”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: UConn’s Miracle, Weirdest NBA Season Ever, A Scary Playoff Team Draft, and an Iffy Expansion Plan With Zach Lowe (Mar 30, 2026) · Listen from 1:16:20

Sutton argued the data shows a strong incentive to tank for teams rebuilding through the draft.

“there's an incredible incentive to tank if you want to build your roster through the draft”

Digital Social Hour: The Project Management Problem Nobody Talks About... | Gary Sutton | DSH #2013 (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 9:54

Smith said he would accept a lottery rule barring his team from a top-five pick next year and favored unprotecting restricted picks.

“I'd be okay now that we're the second pick. Like, okay, great. You can't come in the top five next year. Solves a lot of problems”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 2:27:07

PFT Commenter predicted tanking will not be solved by rule changes because teams will find new ways to tank.

“Tanking is not getting addressed. They're going to figure out a different, a new, more fun way to tank”

Pardon My Take: Final Four Weekend As Michigan And UConn Advance, John Fanta Talks CBB + Possibly Taking The UNC Job, Geno Crash Out + National Sports Podcast Topics And Who's Back (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 52:05

Katz argued the NBA regular season product has never been worse even as he anticipates the playoffs.

“I am equal parts excited for the playoffs and think that the NBA has never been worse in terms of regular season. It's an absolute joke”

Pardon My Take: Final Four Weekend As Michigan And UConn Advance, John Fanta Talks CBB + Possibly Taking The UNC Job, Geno Crash Out + National Sports Podcast Topics And Who's Back (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 51:03