I think it’s rare for the NBA’s tanking problem to become this blatant. That’s because what Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned during last month’s All-Star weekend was a pretty harsh remark.

In recent days, it’s become noticeable that teams have been trying—intentionally—to lose games and boost their draft picks. The Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 for limiting the playing time of their star players. The Indiana Pacers faced a $100,000 fine for roster manipulation where they didn’t put three starters on the court. In just a single week, the situation has escalated to the point where $600,000 in fines are being issued.

Adam Silver said very plainly, “We are seeing behavior that is worse than anything we’ve seen in recent memory.” He’s not just imposing fines—he’s also sending a strong message that team actions will continue to be closely watched. It seems that the integrity of the games is the biggest concern.

What’s interesting is that Silver has mentioned revisiting the entire mechanism of the draft lottery. In other words, they’re considering structural reforms to prevent roster manipulation. They’re also looking at additional penalties, including the confiscation of draft picks.

This issue isn’t just a matter of violating rules—it’s also a betrayal of the fans. How teams will restore their sense of responsibility is a major theme for the entire NBA this season. I think the fact that Adam Silver has issued such a clear warning reflects just how serious the problem is.