NBA Circus: Jokic and Doncic Games Under Scrutiny Amid Tanking Suspicions, Major Changes Loom

An increasing number of NBA games are coming under scrutiny due to suspicions of "tanking" – the deliberate losing of games by certain clubs to improve their chances in the draft.

Now, even games involving Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are raising eyebrows.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Denver trailed Utah by double digits, only to mount a 21-5 run and secure a 124-114 victory.

In the final period, the visiting team's top scorers, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh, did not play a single second. Meanwhile, four other players remained on the court for the entire 12 minutes.

A similar scenario unfolded in the game between the Lakers and the Nets. The Los Angeles franchise held just a one-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter but ultimately triumphed 116-99.

Three starters for the Nets – Nic Claxton, Ziaire Williams, and Noah Clowney – did not play a single second in the final 12 minutes.

The same pattern was observed in the game where Golden State defeated Washington 131-126.

According to well-informed Shams Charania, the NBA presented three comprehensive concepts to its Board of Governors on Wednesday to combat "tanking," with expected modifications to each before a formal vote in May.

First solution: 18 teams in the draft lottery (from 7th to 15th place in each conference) – equal odds, where the 10 worst teams have an 8% chance, with the remaining 20% of odds distributed in descending order from 11th to 18th place, and a lottery draw for all 18 picks.

Second solution: 22 teams, but results from the past two seasons would be considered (from 7th to 15th place, plus four teams eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in both conferences). Teams selected in the lottery would need to achieve a minimum level of total wins each season, such as 25 wins. The top four teams are drawn as part of the lottery, as is currently the case.

Third solution: 18 teams in a "5 by 5" lottery – the five worst teams have equal chances for the first pick, and the lottery is formed for picks 1 to 5. The five worst teams have a floor of 10; those who fall out of the top 5 are sorted in a separate drawing.

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