'It's painful but worthwhile': What players, coaches and execs are saying about the NBA's tanking problem

Why it matters: The NBA's competitive balance is at risk due to the rising frequency of tanking strategies.
- NBA teams are increasingly employing tanking strategies, which are becoming more audacious and frequent.
- Players, coaches, and executives acknowledge the short-term pain of tanking but often view it as a worthwhile long-term investment for team success.
- The league is actively working to address the tanking problem, recognizing its impact on competition.
The NBA is grappling with a significant increase in tanking, a strategy that, while painful for teams in the short term, is often deemed worthwhile by players, coaches, and executives for its long-term benefits. The league is actively seeking solutions to curb this growing trend, which is impacting the competitive integrity of the sport.




