The NBA has levied significant fines against the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers, signaling a firm stance against what Commissioner Adam Silver termed “overt behavior” prioritizing draft position over competitive play. The Jazz were hit with a $500,000 penalty, while the Pacers will pay $100,000, both stemming from recent roster management decisions.
The Jazz’s fine centers around the handling of stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. During games against the Orlando Magic on and the Miami Heat on . In both contests, Markkanen and Jackson were held out for the entirety of the fourth quarter despite the games being closely contested. Utah held a seven-point lead over Orlando entering the final frame, ultimately losing 120-117. Against Miami, the Jazz were up by three points at the start of the fourth, eventually securing a 115-111 victory.
The league’s assessment was that these moves were “conduct detrimental to the league,” undermining the NBA’s push for genuine competition. While the Jazz did manage to win the game against the Heat after benching their key players, the league’s message is clear: strategic losing will not be tolerated. Jazz owner Ryan Smith expressed disagreement with the fine in a social media post, noting the team’s win in Miami despite the circumstances.
The Pacers’ fine, totaling $100,000, relates to a game against the Jazz. The NBA determined that Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith – all starters – were held out despite being medically cleared to play under the league’s Player Participation Policy. The policy aims to prevent teams from unnecessarily resting healthy players to improve their draft odds. The league stated that the Pacers could have held the players out of other games while remaining in compliance with the policy, suggesting the decision was specifically aimed at losing the game against Utah.
Commissioner Silver issued a strong statement accompanying the announcement of the fines. “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” Silver said. He also indicated that the league is actively working with its Competition Committee and Board of Governors to develop further measures to address this issue.
The fines come at a critical juncture in the season for both teams. As of Thursday, , the Jazz hold a record of 18-37, placing them third-worst in the Western Conference. The Pacers, with a record of 15-40, are second-worst in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are firmly outside of playoff contention and are positioned to participate in the NBA Draft lottery.
The stakes of the draft lottery are particularly high this year. The three teams with the worst records each have a 14% chance of securing the coveted first overall pick. Currently, the Pacers are fourth-worst while the Jazz are sixth-worst. The fines suggest the league is prepared to actively discourage teams from intentionally tanking to improve their lottery odds, even if it means intervening in roster decisions.
This isn’t the first time the NBA has addressed concerns about tanking, but the size of these fines and the direct language used by Commissioner Silver signal a heightened level of scrutiny. The league is clearly attempting to protect the competitive integrity of the game and discourage teams from sacrificing on-court effort in pursuit of long-term gains through the draft. The impact of these fines, and any subsequent measures implemented by the league, will be closely watched as the season progresses and teams continue to navigate the delicate balance between development, competition, and draft positioning.
