The NBA has tried to crack down on the Utah Jazz's blatant tanking in recent weeks. It's definitely a concern, but it's hard to see what can be done about it. NBA Insider Marc Stein proposed a solution that would be hard for the Jazz to stomach: winning 27 games to ensure lottery odds.
Stein laid out how he would fix the NBA's tanking problem.
"My pitch: The NBA needs to seriously consider implementing a rule that stipulates teams can only remain eligible to secure the highest possible odds to win the draft lottery if they win at least 27 games," Stein wrote.
Stein then provided his rationale for why something like this would work, while adding that a team like the Jazz would have trouble reaching this mark.
"A 27-55 record means that the team in question has won a third of its games. That would require teams that want to tank in search of their next Face of the Franchise to chase winning deeper into the season and maintain a higher level of competence across an 82-game schedule.
"Seven of the NBA's current bottom 10 teams will resume play Thursday without having yet reached 20 wins this season. Six of those seven teams (Kings, Wizards, Pelicans, Pacers, Nets and Jazz) are all currently on pace to fall short of 27 wins."
With 26 games left in the season, the Jazz would have to win nine of them to match Stein's qualifications. That will be hard to do with Jaren Jackson Jr. out indefinitely. If it happens, it could put them in jeopardy of losing their pick to OKC, which is the primary reason why they have been doing what they're doing.
Luckily, a scenario like this can't be put into the NBA until next season.
At least, presumably, it can't.
It's an interesting idea though
There have been plenty of proposed solutions for the NBA's tanking problem. What the league wants is for there to be a consistently competitive product. But unfortunately, this is just how the system works.
Basically, what Stein is proposing is a system where teams are still bad, but at least permits them to try while still being bad. It stops teams from going the same route the Jazz and others are going this season.
Unfortunately, it is a little complicated because some teams have just unintentionally been bad, like New Orleans (i.e., they're not trying to tank), and a system like that punishes teams that aren't actively trying to get a high lottery pick.
It further demonstrates that this is a problem with no easy answers. If the NBA implemented a system like Stein's going forward, the Jazz can take comfort knowing that it won't be their problem after this season. However, it could be when they start rebuilding, but that's not something they won't have to think about for a long time.