Suns owner Mat Ishbia says tanking in NBA is 'losing behavior,' calls for 'massive changes'
CBS Sports
by
Jasmyn Wimbish
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The debate over tanking in the NBA has intensified as team owners weigh in on the issue. Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia strongly criticized the practice of intentional losing, calling it "losing behavior" and a disgrace to the league. He argued that purposely losing games undermines fan trust and hurts the integrity of the sport. In contrast, Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban supports tanking as a necessary strategy for small-market teams to improve their competitive chances, particularly in the draft.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the severity of the problem during All-Star weekend, stating that tanking has been "worse" this year compared to previous seasons. He emphasized the league's commitment to addressing the issue through fines and closer scrutiny of team behavior. For instance, the Utah Jazz faced a significant $500,000 fine for holding out players in key games, while the Indiana Pacers were penalized $100,000 for benching healthy players. However, critics like Ishbia believe these measures won't stop tanking unless "massive changes" are implemented.
The issue of tanking is particularly significant this year due to a loaded draft class filled with elite talent. Teams are prioritizing draft positioning over playoff chances, which some argue reflects the league's flawed reward system for struggling teams. While the NBA has historically awarded the worst-performing team with the top draft pick, critics suggest that this approach incentivizes tanking and undermines competitive balance. The league's attempt to flatten draft odds to create more equality among teams has only complicated the problem.
Ultimately, the debate over tank
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/19/2026