Adam Silver’s anti-tanking push sparks strong response from Suns Owner Mat Ishbia

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Dec 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX – The NBA’s tanking debate is no longer quiet league-office chatter. It’s public, escalating, and getting responses after Adam Silver’s announcement from people around the NBA, including Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia.

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Oct 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix owner Ishbia against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

According to reporting from Shams Charania, Commissioner Adam Silver informed all 30 general managers that the league plans to implement anti-tanking rule changes next season. Proposed adjustments include flattening lottery odds, restricting consecutive top-four selections, tying lottery positioning to two-year records, and freezing odds at or after the trade deadline. The backdrop is recent enforcement. The Utah Jazz were fined after sitting key players late in games, and the Indiana Pacers were penalized for holding out Pascal Siakam when he was deemed available.

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Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to media after the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mat Ishbia responds to Adam Silver’s anti-tanking push:​

The Phoenix Suns owner publicly called tanking “losing behavior” and “a disgrace,” arguing that purposely shutting down healthy players damages the integrity of the league and the fan experience. Ishbia framed it not as a strategy, but as reputational harm. Teams that lose on purpose, in his eyes, are worse than gambling controversies because it directly impacts outcomes.

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Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix owner Ishbia watches a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Tanking isn’t abstract. It influences playoff races, lottery positioning, ticket value, and locker room culture. For teams competing in crowded NBA battles, every manipulated game affects the standings. Emotionally, this move is trying to restore something that fans demand, which is authenticity. Silver is preparing structural reform, and Ishbia is demanding accountability, and the NBA’s competitive identity may look different next season by design.

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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen​

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